New trial to reduce conflict between separated parents
Source: Australia. Minister for Human Services. Media Release
"Minister for Human Services, Senator Joe Ludwig, has announced plans for a new trial to help separated parents resolve disputes around care.
Speaking at the Fifth Annual Family Law Conference in Melbourne today, Senator Ludwig said the trial would provide crucial early intervention and prevention strategies for separated families.
“Family separation is difficult for everyone involved, particularly deciding which parent has care of the children and when,” Senator Ludwig said.
“In the past six months, the CSA made about 111,000 care decisions — 18,500 decisions a month — and while most decisions are straightforward and not disputed, approximately 700 decisions each month are considered ‘contentious’ or ‘complex’ because parents cannot agree.”
“The Child Support Agency will soon begin a pilot to refer parents with a disputed care matter to a Family Relationship Centre for early intervention and mediation.”"