View the report as separate downloadable parts:
Executive Summary
Foreword
Abbreviations
Members
Terms of Reference
Terms of reference
Principles for the conduct of the inquiry
List of Recommendations
1. Introduction
Recent reviews and amendments
Principles for a reformed family law system
A triaged, actionable pathway for reform
The inquiry process
Community engagement strategy
Structure of the report
A note on terminology
2. Overview of the family law system
State and territory courts exercising jurisdiction under family violence legislation
Federal family law
Interaction of family law and state/territory family violence legislation
Interaction of family law system and child protection systems
The system in practice
3. Challenges of current system
Introduction
Adversarial system
Unresponsive to reports of family violence
Family law system is inaccessible
Abuse of process
Coercion and consent orders
Perjury and false allegations
Fragmentation of jurisdictions
Committee comment
4. A new family law system
A new risk assessment tool across the entire family law system
Out of court processes
Design and delivery of court processes
Legal representation in family law matters
Administration and enforcement of court orders
A recent initiative: Family Advocacy and Support Services
Committee comment
5. Property division and financial recovery
Introduction
Existing options and challenges for property settlement
Considering family violence in property division
A new small property claims process
Division of superannuation
Treatment of joint debt and liabilities
Procedural changes to support reform
Committee comment
6. Matters involving children
Recognising the impact of family violence on children
Prioritising children’s safety
Improving the information available to the courts
Incorporating children’s perspectives in court
Committee comment
7. Families with additional needs
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families
Culturally and Linguistically Diverse families
Families with parents or children with disabilities
Other groups with particular needs
Committee comment
8. Strengthening the capacity of family law professionals
Improving skills and expertise across the system
Skills and expertise in specific professions
Resourcing
Committee comment
9. Ongoing support services
Court-based support services
Housing and homelessness after family violence
Economic support
Behaviour change programs
Committee comment
A. Recommendations from other reports
Family Law Council –
Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence (2016)
Special Taskforce on Domestic and Family Violence in Queensland–
Australian Institute of Family Studies–
Productivity Commission–
Australian Law Reform Commission and NSW Law Reform Commission–
Professor Richard Chisolm –
B. Australian Law Reform Commission - Review of the family law system
C. List of submissions
D. List of exhibits and additional documents
List of exhibits
List of additional documents
E. List of public hearings
F. Questionnaire findings
Additional Comments by Labor Members