Referral of the inquiry
Scope of the inquiry
Context of the inquiry
Conduct of the inquiry
Structure of the report
Acknowledgement
Note on references

Hague Convention abductions
Non-Convention abductions
Interactions between international parental child abduction and domestic family laws

Recognition under current criminal laws
Possible stand-alone criminal offence
Alternative reforms to a stand-alone criminal offence

AFP's role
Consular assistance by DFAT
Australian Passport Office's role
Commonwealth Central Authority's communication and information-dissemination practices
Financial and legal assistance schemes administered by the Attorney-General's Department
Information-gathering by the Commonwealth Central Authority
Commonwealth Central Authority's capture of data
Child support arrangements in the event of international parental child abduction

Role of non-government support services
Coordinated agency arrangements for the return of abducted children
Role of alternative dispute resolution
Australia's role in international engagement

Proposed legislative amendments
No necessity for a stand-alone criminal offence at the current time
Increasing awareness and prevention of international parental child abduction
Law enforcement and response powers
Alternative dispute resolution
Communication and information-dissemination practices
Complementary support services
Australia's role in international engagement
Data capture
Appointment of Independent Children's Lawyers

WITNESSES WHO APPEARED BEFORE THE COMMITTEE