Government welcomes same-sex superannuation reforms
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Attorney-General Robert McClelland and Minister for Superannuation and Corporate Law Senator Nick Sherry today welcomed new superannuation reforms marking a significant step forward in the recognition of same‑sex relationships.
The Same‑Sex Relationships (Equal Treatment in Commonwealth Laws‑Superannuation) Act 2008 received Royal Assent on 4 December 2008.
Date: December 18, 2008
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New Federal Magistrate appointed
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Attorney-General Robert McClelland today announced the appointment of a new Federal Magistrate in Cairns.
“I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Ms Josephine Willis as a
Federal Magistrate,” Mr McClelland said.
“Ms Willis is a highly respected Barrister and brings to her new position local knowledge in addition to considerable experience and expertise in family law
Date: December 18, 2008
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New Judge appointed to the Federal Court
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Attorney-General Robert McClelland today announced that the Hon Justice Michael Barker has been appointed to the Perth registry of the Federal Court of Australia.
“It is with great pleasure that I announce the appointment of the Hon Justice Michael Barker, a judge of the Supreme Court of Western Australia and President of the State Administrative Tribunal, as a judge of the Federal Court. I am confident Justice Barker will continue to make an outstanding contribution to the law in his new capacity,” Mr McClelland said.
Date: December 18, 2008
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New Justice of the High Court
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I am pleased to announce that the Government has decided to recommend to Her Excellency the Governor-General the appointment of Justice Virginia Margaret Bell as a Justice of the High Court of Australia, with effect from 3 February 2009.
Justice Bell will be the 48th person, and the fourth woman, appointed to the High Court since Federation. Her Honour’s appointment will follow the retirement of the Honourable Justice Michael Kirby AC CMG after 13 years of outstanding service to Australia’s highest court.
Date: December 18, 2008
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Press Conference -HIgh Court appointment: Child Abduction
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ATTORNEY-GENERAL ROBERT MCCLELLAND: It is a great honour to announce that the cabinet has decided to recommend to Her Excellency the Governor-General the appointment of Justice Virginia Bell as the next Justice of the High Court of Australia.
Date: December 18, 2008
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Referees to provide expert assistance to Federal Court
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Attorney-General Robert McClelland today introduced legislation to assist judges to reduce the cost and length of trials for litigants.
The Federal Justice System Amendment (Efficiency Measures) Bill (No. 1) 2008 contains a range of reforms to improve the efficient operation of the federal courts and tribunals.
One key measure gives the Federal Court the power to refer questions arising in proceedings to a referee for inquiry and report.
Date: December 18, 2008
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Resignation of the Hon Justice Michael Kirby AC CMG
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I have been advised that the Hon Justice Michael Kirby AC CMG has today met with the Governor-General, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, and advised Her Excellency of his intention to resign from the High Court of Australia, effective midnight on the evening of Monday 2 February 2009.
Date: December 18, 2008
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ATTORNEY-GENERAL SPEECH - FAMILY LAW FORUM CONFERENCE
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ATTORNEY-GENERAL ROBERT MCCLELLAND
Family Law Forum Conference
Riverside Receptions
50 Oxlade Drive, New Farm, Brisbane
Friday 21 November 2008, 12.30pm
Date: December 2, 2008
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ATTORNEY-GENERAL SPEECH - OPENING OF LEGAL AID QUEENSLAND FAMILY DISPUTE RESOLUTION CENTRE
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It’s a great pleasure to be here with you today to open Legal Aid Queensland’s new purpose built Family Dispute Resolution Centre servicing the Brisbane area.
Date: December 2, 2008
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Attorney General Speech - Family Relationship Services National Conference
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Family Relationship Services Australia
Inaugural National Conference 2008
Shangri-La Hotel, The Marina,
Cairns, Queensland
Wednesday 5 November 2008, 12:00pm
Date: November 20, 2008
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Attorney General Speech NSW Young Lawyers Forum
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NSW Young Lawyers Forum
Date: November 4, 2008
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New Federal Magistrate appointed
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Attorney-General Robert McClelland today announced the appointment of a new Federal Magistrate in Adelaide.
“I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Peter Cole as a Federal Magistrate,” Mr McClelland said.
Date: October 7, 2008
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Removal of same-sex discrimination continues
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Same-sex discrimination will be removed from child support, under amendments circulated in Parliament today
Date: October 7, 2008
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APPOINTMENTS TO THE NATIONAL ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION ADVISORY COUNCIL
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Attorney-General Robert McClelland has today announced two appointments to the National Alternative Dispute Resolution Advisory Council (NADRAC).
“It is with great pleasure I announce the appointment of Ms Margaret Halsmith and reappointment of Ms Norah Hartnett,” Mr McClelland said.
Date: September 11, 2008
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RUDD GOVERNMENT PROVIDES NEW SERVICES FOR CHILDREN AFTER SEPARATION
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Attorney-General Robert McClelland today announced that the Rudd Government will provide $17 million over the next three years to help fund eighteen new services, which will support children dealing with the breakdown of their parents’ relationship.
Date: September 11, 2008
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Seven new Federal Magistrates appointed
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Attorney-General Robert McClelland today announced the appointment of seven new Federal Magistrates to the Federal Magistrates Court of Australia.
“It is with great pleasure that I announce the appointment of Ms Barbara Baker, Ms Evelyn Bender, Ms Anne Demack, Mr David Dunkley, Mr Terry McGuire, Associate Professor Geoffrey Monahan and Ms Judith Walker PSM as Federal Magistrates,” Mr McClelland said.
Date: September 11, 2008
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Attorney-General speech to Queensland Law Society & Family Law Practitioners Association Family Law Residential
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Opening Address
Queensland Law Society
& Family Law Practitioners Association
Family Law Residential
Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast, Qld
Friday 15 August 2008, 9.15am
Date: August 20, 2008
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Increased Family Dispute Services for Grandparents
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Attorney-General Robert McClelland today announced an additional $400,000 for Legal Aid Commissions to enhance the delivery of family dispute resolution services to grandparents and other extended family members.
Date: August 20, 2008
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24 New Relationship Centres open today
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From today, Australian families going through relationship difficulties or separation are being better supported with the opening of 24 new Family Relationship Centres, Attorney-General Robert McClelland said.
"The opening of these 24 new Centres demonstrates the Rudd Government's continuing commitment to Australian families," said Mr McClelland.
Date: July 10, 2008
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Financial Burden Lifted from Separating De Facto Couples
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The Rudd Government has today introduced landmark legislation to allow for de facto couples to access the federal family law courts on property and maintenance matters. This implements a 2002 agreement between the Commonwealth, States and Territories at the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General.
Date: July 10, 2008
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Performance Bonuses for Family Relationship Centres
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Attorney-General Robert McClelland has today welcomed the outcome of performance reviews for the first 15 Family Relationship Centres, which has resulted in eight being paid funding bonuses
Date: July 10, 2008
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ATTORNEY-GENERAL LAUNCHES NEW LEGAL PORTAL
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Attorney-General Robert McClelland has today launched the Commonwealth Courts Portal, which will make it much easier for lawyers to keep track of trials, documents filed and court orders
Date: June 18, 2008
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ATTORNEY-GENERAL SPEECH
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Newcastle Family Pathways Conference
Date: June 16, 2008
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Family Court endorses electronic access to documents
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In what appears to be a first for an Australian Court, the Family Court of Western Australia has endorsed the use of the Internet as a permissible way for a law firm to provide its client and experts with access to electronic copies of commercially sensitive or confidential documents of the other party or Third parties.
Date: June 12, 2008
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FAMILY DISPUTE RESOLUTION FOR ALL PARENTING ORDERS
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All people applying to the Family Court for a parenting order must first attend family dispute resolution under changes to family law, except where there is child abuse, family violence or in matters of urgency, Attorney-General Robert McClelland said today.
Date: June 10, 2008
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Flaws in Family Law Legislation Are Failing Couples
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Separating couples attempting to settle their financial affairs out of court should not be hindered by technicalities in the Family Law Act, the Law Council said this month.
In a submission made in early May to the Federal Attorney-General, the Family Law Section of the Law Council recommended a number of amendments to the Act.
Date: June 10, 2008
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Rudd Government moves forward on Intercountry Adoption
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Attorney‑General Robert McClelland today opened the inaugural meeting of the National Overseas Adoption Support Group, which was established by the Rudd Government to provide a voice for the intercountry adoption community
Date: May 22, 2008
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In Sickness and in Health: Divorce Proceedings after Incapacity
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This article examines whether a guardian can initiate a divorce on behalf of an incapacitated person who may, for example, have suffered a stroke, be in a coma or is facing dementia
Date: April 29, 2008
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Duties Bill 2007
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On 28 November 2007, the Duties Bill 2007 (“the Bill”) and the Duties Legislation Amendment Bill 2007 were second read in the Legislative Assembly. These Bills seek to put in place a new duties regime to replace the stamp duty arrangements that are currently imposed by the Stamp Act 1921 (“the Stamp Act”).
Date: April 28, 2008
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NEW NATIONAL PEAK GROUP ON INTERCOUNTRY ADOPTION
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Attorney-General, The Hon Robert McClelland MP, today announced the establishment of Australia’s first National Peak Overseas Adoption Support Group.
Date: April 2, 2008
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STANDING COMMITTEE OF ATTORNEYS-GENERAL - COMMUNIQUÉ
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The Standing Committee of Attorneys‑General (SCAG) held its first meeting today since the election of the Rudd Labor Government. Members, comprising the Commonwealth, State and Territory Attorneys-General, the Commonwealth Minister for Home Affairs and the Associate Justice Minister of New Zealand, held discussions on over 30 matters of substantive legal reforms for all jurisdictions. The Norfolk Island Minister with responsibility for police and legal issues also attended the meeting.
Date: April 2, 2008
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NEW SERVICES FOR CHILDREN ACROSS AUSTRALIA
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Attorney-General Robert McClelland is today pleased to announce the locations for a new program supporting children dealing with parental relationship breakdown.
Date: April 1, 2008
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SINGAPORE TO ACCEDE TO HAGUE CONVENTION ON CIVIL ASPECTS OF INTERNATIONAL CHILD ABDUCTION
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Singapore plans to accede to the Hague Convention on Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. Acceding to the Convention underscores Singapore’s commitment to managing such situations in the best interests of children. Accession to the Convention is aligned with our obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which Singapore became a party to in 1995.
Date: March 17, 2008
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ALRC REPORT ON CLIENT LEGAL PRIVILEGE TABLED
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The report examines the application of client legal privilege to Commonwealth investigatory functions. It also considers the current law and explores possible reforms.
Date: February 13, 2008
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SUPPORTING THE WELLBEING OF FAMILIES AND CHILDREN
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Seventy-five new services will open across Australia this year to support the wellbeing of families and children.
Date: February 12, 2008
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Improvements to Laws Covering Wills in Western Australia
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People will have their wills automatically revoked on divorce under new State laws coming into effect early in the New Year.
Attorney General Jim McGinty said that currently a will was annulled by marriage but not divorce, demonstrating the need to modernise the outdated 1970 Wills Act.
Date: December 10, 2007
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Appointment of New Family Court Judge
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Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today announced the appointment of
Mr Stuart Fowler AM as a judge of the Family Court of Australia.
Date: October 8, 2007
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Appointment of New Family Court Judge
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Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today announced the appointments of
Magistrate Margaret Cassidy and Judge Jillian Orchiston as Federal Magistrates.
Date: October 8, 2007
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Appointment of New Family Court Judge
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Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today announced the appointment of Mr Peter Murphy SC as a judge of the Family Court of Australia.
Date: September 27, 2007
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Appointment of New Federal Magistrate
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Attorney-General Philip Ruddock today announced the appointment of Ms Susan Purdon-Sully as a Federal Magistrate, based in Brisbane.
Date: September 27, 2007
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Intern's Report a Winner
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MAKE It Here Or Jobs Disappear was the title and conclusion of an award-winning project on the manufacturing sector by Courtney Cutten.
Date: September 27, 2007
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New Appointments to the Family Law Council
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Attorney General Philip Ruddock today announced four appointments to the Family Law Council.
Date: September 27, 2007
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Figures Show Cultural Change in Family Law
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New figures show that Family Relationship Centres are helping people to resolve their differences outside of the court system, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today.
Date: August 29, 2007
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Clearer Guidance for Courts on Relocation Cases
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The Government has committed to insert provisions within the Family Law Act to provide courts with greater clarity on how to deal with relocation issues arising out of custody arrangements.
Date: August 27, 2007
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Further Support for People Affected by Child Abduction
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The Australian Government will provide further support to persons affected by international parental child abduction by granting $145,000 to the International Social Service (ISS) Australia, Attorney General Philip Ruddock announced today.
Date: August 27, 2007
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New Court for Families Opens in Fremantle
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A new court, which aims to help almost 50 family violence offenders each year to break the cycle of abuse, opened in Fremantle today.
Date: August 27, 2007
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New Family Relationship Centres Open Across Australia
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Attorney-General Philip Ruddock will today launch a new Family Relationship Centre in Wagga Wagga - one of 25 new Family Relationship Centres that open their doors today.
Date: August 27, 2007
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New Services for Regional Australia
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Separated parents and their children in 14 regional communities will be assisted through a new educational program opening next year, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock announced today.
Date: August 27, 2007
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Australia and Greece Working Together on Recognition of Family Law
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The Australian Government will work with Greece towards introducing mutual recognition of family law orders, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock announced today.
Date: August 26, 2007
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New Requirements for Family Dispute Resolution
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The Government has announced new regulations that will govern the introduction of compulsory dispute resolution in custody cases and the accreditation of family dispute resolution practitioners.
Date: April 17, 2007
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