Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More
Parliament

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | Video | Questions Of the Day | Search

 

Family Court Bill means less representation, less justice

Andrew
LITTLE
Justice Spokesperson


4 June 2013 MEDIA STATEMENT
Family Court Bill means less representation, less justice

The Family Court Reform Bill, reported back to Parliament today, will put fair and effective resolutions to family disputes at risk, says Labour’s Justice spokesperson Andrew Little.

"Even with the minor changes recommended by select committee, the Bill will still require separating parents to stump up around $900 for a compulsory private process to resolve disputes.

“That is a significant cost and one that is not paired with adequate support or advocacy.

“Parents are being forced into this process with limited access to legal advice and representation. All separations are challenging, but this bill puts unrealistic expectations on parents’ abilities to deal with separations rationally.

"Furthermore, dependent children of separating parents will have virtually no legal representation raising real doubts about whether the Bill will comply with our international obligations to ensure children's needs are voiced in any legal dispute that affects them.

"Measures dealing with violent and abusive family relationships, which have been in our present law since the mid-1990s, were originally removed from the Bill altogether and have only been reinstated in a much watered-down form.

"I have no confidence the Bill in its present form will make things better for families going through the tragedy and stress of separation and Labour will continue to oppose the legislation,” Andrew Little said.


ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.