Parenting Orders Programs- a Success?

Respected researcher, Thea Brown, has researched the history of parenting orders programs. Her conclusion: they seem to be worthwhile as an alternative to repeated court hearings. I remember when these programs were introduced. There was real concern within the community sector as to whether to bid for the government funding for these programs. The reason… Read More »Custom Single Post Header

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Parenting Orders Programs- a Success?

Respected researcher, Thea Brown, has researched the history of parenting orders programs.

Her conclusion: they seem to be worthwhile as an alternative to repeated court hearings.

I remember when these programs were introduced. There was real concern within the community sector as to whether to bid for the government funding for these programs. The reason was clear- while money was provided, the clients were those forced to be there by court order- because they had either been the applicant or respondent to a contravention application made in the Family Court or more commonly the Federal Magistrates Court.

Clients who are forced to be there and are there because they have either contravened a court order, or their former partner are not likely to be very happy campers.

It is good to see that these courses might actually work and keep some of these bitter fights out of court, for the benefit of all concerned, including the taxpayer, but most importantly the children in the centre of their parents’ dispute.

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