FAMILY LAW COURT /
CHILD SUPPORT SCHEME:
18th September 1998
Pauline Hansons ONE Nation believes that safe, secure
and happy societies require as a guiding principle, strong functional family
units. ONE Nation considers governments should recognise this basic principle
and adopt responses that are aimed at long term family stability.
The following principles will be adopted by ONE Nation to rectify unjust
applications from the Family Law Court and Child Support Agency.
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The Family Law Court will be abolished and replaced with a Family Tribunal.
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The Family Tribunal will consist of people from mainstream Australia. Respected
members from local community groups encompassing health, social and community
interests groups will be invited to participate.
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The functions and operation of the Child Support Agency will be reviewed
and extensive community consultation will occur to develop appropriate guidelines
for operations.
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The punitive maintenance regime will be overhauled as a matter of urgency
key factors in this review include:
1. A formula that recognises the new cost of maintaining two households.
2. A pre determined formula for non-custodial parents that in which
additional incomes for overtime or a second job do not cause maintenance
payments to increase.
3 Recognition that a childs standard of living following divorce cannot
be maintained at its pre-divorce level.
4. A formula based on after tax income not before tax income.
5. New families and their needs to be recognised in maintenance schedules.
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Property owned prior to the relationship will remain the possession of the
individual. Settlements will be based on a 50 / 50 split between partners.
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Recipients of Sole Supporting Parents (SSP) benefits will require counselling
and verification of a family breakdown. When the youngest child reaches school
age the SSP will be required to obtain work based on job availability,
opportunities and qualifications.
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Protracted settlements or incidents involving violence or abuse will be dealt
with in the respective courts. Both parties will be entitled to legal aid
and the unsuccessful party will pay the costs. Perjury charges will be enforced
in court.
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Joint custody is the option of choice for ONE Nation. It gives recognition
to the vital role both parents have in relationships with their children.
Joint custody can provide some stability in an environment that is otherwise
turbulent for children.
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Ideally the same case managers will work with families from entry to exit.
Denied access will be referred to the case manager for immediate investigation.
Three denied access visits will result in the non-custodial parent and custodial
parent facing the tribunal to discuss shifting custodial arrangements.
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Family centres will be developed from the anticipated $100M saved from legal
aid fees. The centres will manage the family tribunals and associated support
services including counselling, life style management, parenting plans,
preparation with self representation and advocacy support. The family tribunals
will be able to conduct a country circuit.
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National Forums will be organised throughout Australia to identify family
needs and identify community solutions that will assist in strengthening
and maintaining the family unit. Responses to the forum will be pro-active
and urgently address legislative inadequacies.
Statement issued by Pauline Hanson MP, member for Oxley and Heather
Hill
© Pauline Hanson's One Nation, 1998.