Everyday Aussies Silenced by Family Law Investigation

Senator Pauline Hanson has written to Attorney-General Christian Porter requesting an urgent meeting to discuss concerns that current stipulations placed on the submission of personal stories to the review of the Family Law Act could be preventing many Australians from making valuable contributions.

A public release from the Australian Law Commission calling for the submission of personal stories from parties who have experienced problems within the Family Courts has come with the caveat that any such submissions should not include material that is subject to suppression or confidentiality court orders as the submitted material could be the subject of Freedom of Information requests.

In her letter to the Attorney-General Senator Hanson expressed concerns that these caveats have “the potential to impact upon the ability of parents and grandparents caught up in the family law system to provide their stories to the review without fear of being subjected to potential litigation.”

Senator Hanson, a long-time campaigner for reform of the Family Law system in Australia, has expressed concerns that unless the key issues of domestic violence orders, child support, parental equality, too few judges and limited court time are taken into account and everyday Australians directly affected by the Family Law system were given a fair hearing, then the investigation into the Family Law Act by the Australian Law Commission could turn out to be a whitewash.