Family Law Amendment Bill Passes Through Senate
The most significant changes to the Family Law Act in more than 30 years passed through the Senate last night, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock has announced.
"The Shared Parental Responsibility Bill, which promotes a culture of cooperation rather than of litigation, constitutes the most significant reform of the family law system in 30 years," said Mr Ruddock.
"I welcome the Senate's passage of this important legislation."
Because of Senate amendments, the legislation will return to the House of Representatives when Parliament resumes in May, with the majority of the reforms to take effect from July 1 2006.
"The law will take the view that parenting is a responsibility which should be shared and, in most cases, parents will need to consult and agree on major issues affecting their children," said Mr Ruddock.
"Where both parents share responsibility, consideration will also be given to the children spending equal or at least substantial time with both parents - providing that this is practical and not contrary to the best interests of the child," he said.
As a result of an amendment by the Government in the Senate, once the new laws commence they will apply to people who are already in the court system seeking parenting orders and to all new applications for parenting orders.
"This Bill along with the massive expansion of support services and the planned roll-out of new Family Relationship Centres later this year demonstrates the Government's commitment to changing the culture around family separation," Mr Ruddock said.
"The major changes to the child support system and the launch of a Family Law Violence Strategy also reflects the holistic approach being taken to reform of the family law system," he said.
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