The Australian Federal Government introduced some major changes to the family law system on 1 July 2006. The Family Law Amendment (Shared Parental Responsibility) Act 2006 came into effect at that time. The purpose of these amendments was to introduce an increased focus on the rights of children to have a meaningful relationship with both of their parents and for the parents to equally share in the parental responsibility for their children. The amendments are designed to ensure that children have a right to know both of their parents, to grow up with their parents’ love and support, and to be protected from harm.
Additionally, the Government has introduced a range of services designed to assist families to deal co-operatively with their relationship difficulties and separation. Family Relationship Centres have been established across Australia to provide such advice and assistance to families.
The Family Relationship Centres are a key component in Government support for building better family relationships. They provide families with information and advice about family relationship issues, whether the parties are in a current relationship or are separated. They also allow families to find out about services funded by the Government that can assist them build better relationships. These Centres provide Mediation services and also refer families to other appropriate services such as counselling.
The Australian Government has recognised the impact of family breakdown on thousands of Australian children each year. Accordingly, it has introduced these Family Law reforms and funded new services to assist families experiencing relationship difficulties.
The amendments introduced to the Family Law legislation in July 2006 bring about a cultural change in the way family breakdowns are handled. It is anticipated that the package introduced by the Government will now give separating parents the support they need to sit down across the table from each other and agree what is best for their children rather than fighting each other in the Court room.
The Government believes these changes will result in the family dispute process becoming less complicated, less adversarial and allow easier access for parties to the Court process in situations where they are unable to resolve their issues through the early dispute resolution process.
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