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Why the Government is wrong about shared parenting legislation

This article as the FJR misrepresents the experiences in Australia. The reforms in 2006 in Australia have been shown to be positive in government research. It is this misrepresentation of what is happening by the Norgrove Panel and in articles such as this which makes the government and others involved in these matters question the motives and consider them as merely vested interests in little or no change. Despite the negative impact on child welfare by remaining with the present system in this jurisdiction. The reality is as follows from the conclusion of the Australian government commissioned report. The reforms are positive and applications are lower even at this early stage. Evaluation of the 2006 family law reforms, dated December 2009 by the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS): CONCLUSION QUOTED BELOW: “16.2 Conclusion The evaluation evidence indicates that the 2006 REFORMS to the family law system have had a POSITIVE impact in some areas and have had a LESS POSITIVE impact in others. Overall, there is MORE use of relationship services, a DECLINE IN FILINGS IN THE COURTS IN CHILDREN’S CASES, and SOME EVIDENCE OF A SHIFT AWAY FROM AN AUTOMATIC RECOURSE TO LEGAL SOLUTIONS in response to post separation relationship difficulties. A SIGNIFICANT PROPORTION OF SEPARATED PARENTS ARE ABLE TO ORT OUT THEIR POST-SEPARATION ARRANGEMENTS WITH MINIMAL ENGAGEMENT WITH THE FORMAL SYSTEM. There is ALSO EVIDENCE THAT FDR IS ASSISTING PARENTS TO WORK OUT THEIR PARENTING ARRANGEMENTS.” http://www.aifs.gov.au/institute/pubs/fle/evaluationreport.pdf

13-Mar-2012

10:34 am