In the midst of the initial emergence of COVID-19 in 2020, each regional Family Law Pathways Network from around the country collaborated to develop a webinar series open to all Family Law Pathways Network members nationally, so they could continue to provide high quality professional development and education during this time.

These regular webinars were highly successful and become a nationally based source of education, communication, discussion and community connection between professionals across the broader Australian family law sector.

Based on the success of these webinars, and overwhelming support from Family Law Pathways members, the national cohort has committed to continue to provide the National Webinar Series, now on a quarterly basis.

If you would like to know more about the National Webinar Series, please email taspathwaysofficer@reltas.com.au 

The National Family Law Pathways Network – Webinar Series

The National Family Law Pathways Networks in collaboration with Attorney-General’s Department invite you to participate in this webinar series.

Webinar 1 – Information Session – Family Law Amendment Bill 2024:

The Government introduced the Family Law Amendment Bill 2024 into the Commonwealth Parliament on 22 August 2024. The Bill makes important and significant reforms to Australia’s family law system with a focus on property and financial matters. The Bill also establishes a legislative power for the Government to regulate Children’s Contact Services to support the safe supervision and changeover of children.

In this session, the Attorney-General’s Department will provide an overview of the content of the Bill, including what has changed to respond to feedback since an Exposure Draft was released in 2023.

Please find below a link to the recording of the webinar and the PowerPoint slides. 

  • Webinar 1 –Information Session – Family Law Amendment Bill 2024, PowerPoint Slides: HERE
  • Webinar 1:  Information Session – Family Law Amendment Bill 2024, view online: HERE

Webinar 2 – Information Session –  Review of the Family Relationship Services Program:

On 28 June 2024, Andrew Metcalfe AM completed a review of the Government’s Family Relationship Services Program (FRSP), which provides support for separating families across Australia. Services funded through the FRSP include Family Relationship Centres, family dispute resolution, family counselling, the Family Relationship Advice Line, and Children’s Contact Services.  The report was published on 11 September 2024.

In this session, the Attorney-General’s Department will provide an overview of the key findings and recommendations of the review to support the family law sector in understanding the report’s conclusions and next steps for Government consideration.

Please find below a link to the recording of the webinar and the PowerPoint slides. 

  • Webinar 2 –Information Session – Review of the Family Relationship Services Program, PowerPoint Slides : HERE
  • Webinar 2:  Information Session – Review of the Family Relationship Services Program, view online: HERE

Webinar 3 – Information Session – Remaking of the Family Dispute Practitioner Regulations 

On Friday 20 September 2024, the Attorney-General’s Department released a consultation paper on proposed changes to the regulations. The changes aim to modernise the regulations, provide greater clarity about their application, and increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the regulatory scheme. Submissions on the consultation paper are due by 21 October 2024.

In this session, the department will talk through what changes are proposed and why, to support stakeholders in developing and refining their feedback.

Please find below a link to the recording of the webinar and the PowerPoint slides. 

  • Webinar 3 – Information Session – Remaking of the Family Dispute Practitioner Regulations, PowerPoint Slides: HERE
  • Webinar 3 -Information Session – Remaking of the Family Dispute Practitioner Regulations, view online: HERE

If you are intending to make submissions to the Attorney-General’s Department in relation to the Consultation Paper, or would like to request a copy of the Consultation Paper, the email address to use is fdrregistration@ag.gov.au

Reimagining Just and Safe Outcomes for Child and Adult Victims of Domestic Violence in the Family Law System in Australia

Angela Lynch AM CEO Women’s Legal Service QLD

In light of the tragic murders of Hannah Clarke and her children, Women’s Legal Service Queensland called for a number of legal reforms, including the removal of the presumption of equal shared parental responsibility from the Family Law Act because of its danger to victims of violence and their children. Just recently, in response to these calls, the Honourable Graham Perrett MP, Member for Moreton, introduced a bill into federal parliament on these terms.

In this webinar, Angela speaks to these issues and explores more fully the reasons behind the need for the change with specific reference to her learnings and experience as a member of the QLD Domestic and Family Violence Death Review and Advisory Board.