[This is the print version of story http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2004/s1164651.htm]
The World Today - Thursday, 29 July , 2004 12:10:00
Reporter: Rebecca Barrett
ELEANOR HALL: But first today, men's rights groups say separated fathers are no better off under the Federal Government's overhaul of family law arrangements.
The changes include a network of 65 "family relationship centres" to provide compulsory mediation for separating couples.
And the Government would also require children to spend time with both parents after a relationship breakdown.
But men's rights groups say that's no different to what happens now.
And those advocating for the rights of children say they shouldn't be forced to spend more time with both parents if they don't want to.
This report from Rebecca Barrett.
REBECCA BARRETT: The Prime Minister John Howard says the Government will spend $15-million immediately on support services as part of the changes to the family law arrangements.
JOHN HOWARD: No amount of dispute resolution and no amount of shock absorption through the establishment of the new system is going to prevent people ending up in court but I do believe, and we are encouraged on the basis of discussion we've had with many people to believe, that the establishment of this new system once it is up and running will significantly reduce the number of disputes that end up going to court.
I think that will have beneficial (inaudible) not only for children but also for separating parents.
REBECCA BARRETT: It was hoped that the shake-up of family law arrangements would give men in marriage break-ups greater access to their children.
The Federal Attorney General, Phillip Ruddock, says the Family Law Act will be amended so both parents can have meaningful involvement in their children's lives.
But Sue Price from the national non-profit organisation Men's Rights Agency is sceptical.
SUE PRICE: No it's not new, it's already in the act under part seven of the Family Law Act and as the objects of the act states that children have the right to know and be cared for by both parents, to have the right to have a relationship with other people who are significant in their development and that parents have a responsibility to share, to care, for the children and help raise them.
So that's already there. So, I'm not quite sure how they propose to change it to improve the situation for fathers. It was really disappointing to us that they failed to make the recommendation, or the Committee failed to make the recommendation, that joint parenting should be the first and foremost principle of family law in separations.
REBECCA BARRETT: Sue Price is also concerned the network of family relationship centres will be nothing more than shopfronts that will continue to ignore the needs of separated fathers.
SUE PRICE: The people who man the family centres, are they going to be the same people who followed the agenda that removes fathers out of their children's lives and supports the notion that children belong with the mother, the father can see his children as a visitor as long as he pays the bills.
If we are having more of that then I'm afraid that is really disappointing.
REBECCA BARRETT: The Government has already acknowledged that regular time with both parents does not necessarily mean equal time, although it says the responsibility of caring for children should be equally shared except in cases of violence, child abuse or entrenched conflict.
Nigel Spence form the Association of Children's Welfare Agencies says the changes put a lot of emphasis on what parents want and not what may be in the interests of children.
NIGEL SPENCE: I think we have to make sure that this change in law doesn't make it harder for the child to express their view, that we have to make every effort to make sure the children's views become even more distinct, and also that we're, it's unsafe or there are some risks for children in terms of contact with one or other parent, that that be very very clearly and carefully considered and that limitations be put on the time. So it shouldn't be an absolute principle for equal time.
REBECCA BARRETT: The Government has agreed to set up a task force to review the current child support payment scheme. It's not due to report back until March next year, and Sue Price questions just how effective it will be if the community isnt given a voice on the task force.
SUE PRICE: Well it depends who the Government are going to listen to. We had Larry Anthony at our meeting on July the sixth, and he mentioned this task force and I said, "well MRA would like a seat on the task force," and he quickly avoided the question and said, "oh well, that's a matter for the Government."
So I will take that as being probably a no, because men's groups have not been considered in the past to sit on these task forces or to have any input meaningful input into the decision making process.
ELEANOR HALL: Sue Price from the Men's Rights Agency. |
