An inquiry launched by the House of Representatives standing committee on social policy and legal affairs will seek evidence to improve victim-survivors’ access to orders within the family law system, following a referral from Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus.

The committee is seeking submissions around providing victim-survivors with better access, said committee chair Susan Templeman MP.

“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,” she said.

“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.”

Parliamentary committees, however, cannot investigate or assist with individual cases, particularly those that are, or may be, before the courts. The committee said it would 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.

Contributions and submissions that provide personal details or include information relating to individual cases or court orders will not be published – but may be received by the committee as confidential evidence to help inform how the system and support for victim-survivors can be further improved.

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Written submissions are due by Friday, 19 July 2024 and can be submitted via the inquiry website or emailed directly to the secretariat.

Lauren Croft

Lauren is a journalist at Lawyers Weekly and graduated with a Bachelor of Journalism from Macleay College. Prior to joining Lawyers Weekly, she worked as a trade journalist for media and travel industry publications and Travel Weekly. Originally born in England, Lauren enjoys trying new bars and restaurants, attending music festivals and travelling. She is also a keen snowboarder and pre-pandemic, spent a season living in a French ski resort.