Latest news with #FederalCircuitandFamilyCourtofAustralia
Perth Now
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Perth Now
Family law reform to stop pets being weaponised
Law reforms will stop family pets from being used to continue carrying out domestic violence when relationships break down. The changes came into effect on Tuesday, and build on previous amendments made by the Albanese government to family law in its first term. The new legislation provides a specific framework for deciding ownership of pets and preventing the use of animals to continue to perpetrate violence. The reforms also give family law courts a new power to help stop sensitive information being viewed or used as evidence in proceedings where the harm in doing so outweighs the need for it. The economic impacts impacts of family violence will be considered when property and finances are being divided between separated couples. The government said the changes highlight Labor's strong commitment to addressing and ending the scourge. The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia will be funded to expand their world-leading initiative called the Lighthouse model, which improves risk screening, triage and assessment of family law matters. Information sharing arrangements to protect families against safety risks and the wellbeing of children being placed at the centre of all parenting decisions, were established under previous amendments made by Labor. Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said the changes strengthened deterrence while supporting fairer outcomes. "These once-in-a-generation reforms aim to support victim-survivors of family violence to get a fairer outcome in family law matters and prevent long-term disadvantage," she said. "The Albanese government thanks all those involved in the development and implementation of these vital reforms, particularly victim-survivors and family law professionals who shared their stories to inspire change." 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) Lifeline 13 11 14 Men's Referral Service 1300 766 491
Sydney Morning Herald
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Men just aren't part of the conversation': Stars demand an end to family violence
Australia's leading men including Hugh Jackman, Travis Fimmel and Darcy Moore are delivering a powerful message asking all men to call out violence against women. A video bringing together stars of Australian sport and entertainment will feature at the MCG during Friday's Collingwood-Hawthorn blockbuster, urging men to take responsibility for ending family violence. The campaign is an initiative of Will Alstergren, the chief justice of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, who said he was stunned by the levels of family violence involved in more than 70 per cent of cases coming before his courts – and the fact that few men take a stand to call it out. 'It was really obvious that men just aren't part of the conversation about this,' Alstergren said. 'At least four out of five men don't perpetrate family violence. But they're either apathetic about it or, alternatively, they're too worried or too nervous to be part of the conversation. 'If Hugh Jackman can do this in New York while he's promoting a movie, and if Eric Bana can do it, and if Travis Fimmel is prepared to do it, then why aren't ordinary blokes prepared to get out and do something? 'School teachers, footy coaches, everyone, we can all have a big impact.' The clip also features James Sicily, Eric Bana, Vance Joy, Hamish Blake, Jonathan Thurston, Mick Molloy and Usman Khawaja. By having role models taking such a public stand, Alstergren hopes to build men's preparedness to take their own stand and break the cycle not only among their social networks, but also the next generation of boys learning from them.
The Age
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
‘Men just aren't part of the conversation': Stars demand an end to family violence
Australia's leading men including Hugh Jackman, Travis Fimmel and Darcy Moore are delivering a powerful message asking all men to call out violence against women. A video bringing together stars of Australian sport and entertainment will feature at the MCG during Friday's Collingwood-Hawthorn blockbuster, urging men to take responsibility for ending family violence. The campaign is an initiative of Will Alstergren, the chief justice of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, who said he was stunned by the levels of family violence involved in more than 70 per cent of cases coming before his courts – and the fact that few men take a stand to call it out. 'It was really obvious that men just aren't part of the conversation about this,' Alstergren said. 'At least four out of five men don't perpetrate family violence. But they're either apathetic about it or, alternatively, they're too worried or too nervous to be part of the conversation. 'If Hugh Jackman can do this in New York while he's promoting a movie, and if Eric Bana can do it, and if Travis Fimmel is prepared to do it, then why aren't ordinary blokes prepared to get out and do something? 'School teachers, footy coaches, everyone, we can all have a big impact.' The clip also features James Sicily, Eric Bana, Vance Joy, Hamish Blake, Jonathan Thurston, Mick Molloy and Usman Khawaja. By having role models taking such a public stand, Alstergren hopes to build men's preparedness to take their own stand and break the cycle not only among their social networks, but also the next generation of boys learning from them.
West Australian
15-05-2025
- Business
- West Australian
Australian law changes to affect pets, property and finances
Pet and property owners watch out – Australia's family law is changing how separation disputes will be resolved. Coming into effect next month, these key changes will affect how our pets, property and financial matters are resolved for former couples. Separating couples sharing pets should usually make arrangements for what happens to their prized pooches and furballs without going to court. However, those that cannot agree on arrangements can apply to the family law courts to make orders, with a specific list considered by the system. This takes into account: However, there are limits and courts cannot make orders for joint ownership or shared possession of pets. Usually, couples splitting ways should strive to make arrangements related to their shared property and finances, sometimes using dispute resolution outside of courts. But couples struggling to reach an agreement can apply to family law courts to determine a property settlement. Changes affecting Family Law Act 1975 include: This would apply to all separating couples – whether a property settlement has been determined by family law courts or has been negotiated outside of court. Key areas that courts will consider: The Family Law Act defines family violence as 'violent, threatening or other behaviour by a person that coerces or controls a member of the person's family, or causes the family member to be fearful'. Key amendments include: What's staying the same? Couples separating have a duty to provide all relevant financial information and documents to each other and the court. From next month, this duty will be governed by the Family Law Act 1975 instead of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Family Law) Rules 2021. This applies to all disputes concerning finances and property after a break-up and is treated as an ongoing duty. If failure to do so, consequences can affect separating couples such as: What stays the same? The changes to family law will come into effect from June 10, 2025. A fact sheet detailing the changes can be found here .
