Today is family law summit, day one

Today is family law summit, day one

This morning in Canberra, the Federal Government under the leadership of Attorney-General Robert McClelland, is hosting a family law summit. The Government handpicked 200 delegates, including lawyers, judges, family dispute resolution professionals, legal aid officials and the like to discuss issues affecting family law. Topics include child support and online support.

One of the delegates is my partner, Julie Harrington, who was invited by virtue of her chairing the Queensland Law Society Family Law Section.

The reality about family law is that it will constantly change, both to reflect the whims and expectations of government, but hopefully also to reflect the needs of society. Current challenges include the Semple review of the Family and Federal Magistrates Courts, and the increase in jurisdiction of the Family and Federal Magistrates Courts on 1 March when the de facto property changes take effect in all States other than South Australia and Western Australia.

I don’t know if this is the first family law summit ever, but I do not recall one ever being held in the past.

Things to Read, Watch & Listen

Monash IVF Scandal: What Went Wrong and What Happens Next?

In this episode, Stephen dives into the shocking events surrounding the recent Monash IVF case in Brisbane, where a tragic embryo mix-up occurred — the first of its kind in Australia.

Surrogacy and Medicare: Why the Outdated Exclusion Needs to Go

In this episode of the Australian Family and Fertility Law Podcast, Stephen Page dives into a long-overdue issue: the exclusion of surrogacy from Medicare funding in Australia.

Resolving Australian Embryo Disputes

At the 27th Annual Family Law Conference in Cape Town on 28 March 2025, leading fertility and family law expert Stephen Page delivered a landmark presentation on how Australian law approaches embryo disputes.

Family Law Section Law Council of Australia Award
Member of Queensland law society
Family law Practitioners Association
International Academy of Family Lawyers - IAFL
Mediator Standards Board