Australian Government: Attorney-General's Department
Australian Government: Attorney-General's DepartmentAchieving a Just and Secure Society

Inaugural Family Law System Conference

The Australian Family Law System - Better Access to Justice

The Attorney-General Robert McClelland has highlighted the need for continued development of the family law system to minimise litigation, and build collaboration and integration across the system.

In July 2008, the Attorney-General’s Department held a national roundtable of representatives from approximately 20 key organisations across the family law system. Attendees included members of the courts, the key bodies representing the legal profession, and the key organisations representing the family relationship services sector.

Following the roundtable, the Department developed a paper, 'Towards a national blueprint for the family law system', which provided the framework for proceedings at the Inaugural Family Law System Conference held in Canberra on 19‑20 February 2009.

The conference brought together close to 200 heads of organisations and key individuals from the family courts, legal aid commissions, community legal centres, private lawyers, family relationship services, and commonwealth and state agencies which deliver services within the family law system.

Attendees focused on building a more integrated family law system through strengthening collaboration with one another and seeking practical ways to ensure better outcomes for families. A range of views were shared through plenary sessions, panel discussions and facilitated workshops.

It is important to note the documents below do not reflect the full range of views expressed at the conference. There was limited time in each session to fully explore all of the relevant issues and not all participants attended all sessions.

The views expressed during the course of the conference and represented within the documents are those of conference participants and do not necessarily represent those of the Government. 

Following the success of the conference, the event will be held annually. The conference proceedings can be accessed below.

Towards a National Blueprint for the Family Law System

The conference paper was developed to provide a framework for the Inaugural Conference. The paper analyses the role of each of the entities that make up the family law system and proposes options for a more integrated family law system.

Conference Program

Official Welcome – Ian Govey, Deputy Secretary, Civil Justice and Legal Services Group, Attorney-General’s Department

Opening Address – The Attorney-General Robert McClelland

Closing Address – Kathy Leigh, First Assistant Secretary, Access to Justice Division, Attorney-General’s Department

Plenary Sessions

1. Why have a National Blueprint?

Speaking Notes – Chair: Ian Govey, Deputy Secretary, Civil Justice and Legal Services Group, Attorney-General’s Department [PDF 28KB]

Speaking Notes – Chair: Ian Govey, Deputy Secretary, Civil Justice and Legal Services Group, Attorney-General’s Department [DOC 32KB]

2. Keynote Address - Building Integration across the Family Law System

3. Focusing parents on the best interests of children

Optional Sessions – Entering the Family Law System