15th Oct 2019, 6:00 PM – Senate Motions - Australia's Family Law System Joint Select Committee - Abandon inquiry

The majority voted against a motion introduced by Queensland Senator Larissa Waters, which means it failed.

Motion text

That—

(1) The Senate notes:

(a) the Joint Select Committee on Australia's Family Law System (the Committee) was appointed by resolution of the Senate on 18 September 2019, and resolution of the House of Representatives on 19 September 2019;

(b) final membership of the Committee has yet to be confirmed, however, Mr Kevin Andrews, MP is to be appointed as the Chair and Senator Hanson as the Deputy Chair;

(c) the Federal Government has yet to act on or respond to the recommendations of the Australian Law Reform Commission review of the family law system;

(d) up to 85% of matters in the Family Court involve family violence and abuse;

(e) since the announcement of the inquiry into Australia's family law system, numerous women's and children's safety organisations, including the Government reference group and Australian Women Against Violence Alliance, have condemned the inquiry and the proposed appointment of Mr Andrews and Senator Hanson; and

(f) more than 1400 emails have been sent to the Prime Minister and other parliamentarians expressing concern that victims and survivors of family violence and abuse will not feel safe to give evidence to the inquiry, compromising the legitimacy of any recommendations made by the Committee.

(2) The Senate calls on the Federal Government to:

(a) immediately abandon the unnecessary and harmful inquiry by the Joint Select Committee on Australia's Family Law System;

(b) respond to the recommendations of:

(i) the Australian Law Reform Commission's review of family law, and

(ii) the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs inquiry, Better Family Law System to Support and Protect those Affected by Family Violence; and

(c) implement evidence-based strategies to make family law safer for victims and survivors of family violence.

(3) This resolution be communicated to the House of Representatives for concurrence.