Darcey Freeman’s death reverberates

The death of four year old Darcey Freeman, who was allegedly thrown by her father from Melbourne’s Westgate Bridge is still reverberating: her family have called for a children’s day to be nominated after her, a call backed by Kevin Rudd   there have been calls for a review of Family Court procedures her family… Read More »Custom Single Post Header

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Darcey Freeman’s death reverberates

The death of four year old Darcey Freeman, who was allegedly thrown by her father from Melbourne’s Westgate Bridge is still reverberating:

 

  • there have been calls for a review of Family Court procedures
  • her family have complained that the Family Court and authorities had not responded to their complaints about their fears for Darcey’s safety
  • the Federal Attorney-General Robert McClelland has announced an inquiry into the role of the Family Court in the case
  • Chief Justice of the Family Court Diana Bryant has said that no complaints were made, and that the orders about Darcey were made by consent
  • sensitive documents in the Chief Justice’s car were stolen when her unlocked car was stolen, just hours before Darcey’s funeral.

 

Things to Read, Watch & Listen

Forced Marriage

On November 1st 2023, Accredited Family Law Specialist and Page Provan Director Stephen Page presented a paper at the Brisbane Zonta Club about forced marriage. I acknowledge the Jagera and Turrbal peoples, on whose lands we meet today, their elders, past, present and emerging. Ruqia Hidari was aged 21 and living in Victoria, when, according to police,… Read More »Forced Marriage

ACT Government Surrogacy Bill

The ACT Government has today introduced a bill to amend the ACT’s surrogacy laws. The proposed changes are more incremental than fundamental. They include allowing a single person to undertake surrogacy, for the surrogate to be single if needed, a requirement for legal advice and counselling beforehand, a written agreement being required, that traditional surrogacy is… Read More »ACT Government Surrogacy Bill

Planning to resolve: ADR in ART

ADR can help resolve disputes in ART cases. ADR is not limited to mediation and arbitration. Other types of informal dispute resolution can resolve disputes. When assisted reproductive treatment cases go off the rails, they can have the next level of bitterness and volatility. There can be a keen sense of betrayal when things don’t… Read More »Planning to resolve: ADR in ART