The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs has launched an inquiry into access to family violence orders for victim-survivors in the family law system.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 5 June 2024

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs has today launched an inquiry into access to family violence orders for victim-survivors in the family law system. Chair of the Committee, Ms Susan Templeman MP, said “the Committee is seeking written submissions with ideas for how the Australian Government can provide better access to family violence orders for victim-survivors in the family law system, how those orders can be better enforced, and what supports are needed.” “There have been many inquiries into family violence and the Committee does not intend to revisit findings of other reviews. This inquiry has a narrow focus on what we can do at a federal level to make applying for orders easier for victims already negotiating the family law system and how we can make those orders more effective in keeping families safe,” Ms Templeman said. Parliamentary committees cannot investigate or assist with individual cases, particularly those that are, or may be, before the courts. The Committee will consider publishing personal contributions if they inform the terms of reference, focus on systemic issues or ideas for improving the system, and do not identify anybody or their personal circumstances. The Committee will not be publishing contributions that provide personal details or include information relating to individual cases or court orders. However, it may receive personal submissions as confidential evidence if they inform how the system and supports for victim-survivors can be improved. Written submissions are requested by Friday, 19 July 2024 and can be submitted via the inquiry website or emailed directly to the secretariat. Further information about the inquiry, including the terms of reference, is available on the inquiry webpage at www.aph.gov.au/familyviolenceorders. Media inquiries Ms Susan Templeman MP Susan.Templeman.MP@aph.gov.au (Mark Andrews 0417 024 890) For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 2358 spla.reps@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website: www.aph.gov.au/spla. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right-hand corner of the page.