A coalition of more than 110 stakeholders, including the former first and second Chief Justices of the Family court, is calling on the Parliament to vote against the merger of the Family Court and the Federal Circuit Court that the federal government proposed.
Eminent jurist and former Chief Justice, the Hon Elizabeth Evatt AC, said the proposed merger will undermine the integrity and the specialisation of the Family Court and could lead to undesirable outcomes for children and families.
As the number of family violence and child abuse cases are raised, Hon Evatt AC believes there is an even greater need today for family law to be exercised by specialised judges who can give their full attention to the needs of families without being diverted to exercise other unrelated jurisdictions.