Family Law Act of Australia: Reforms and Contributions to Childcare and Family Protection

Running head: FAMILY AND CHILDREN
Essay
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FAMILY AND CHILDREN
Dysfunction within family directly affects other members of the same family. These often
cause significant effect in the form of psychological trauma, financial issues and other
conflicting concerns within the family. In such situations, state or the government has to intrude
into the domestic matters legitimately to resolve and add justice to the matter. It is still debatable
about how much the government and state can interfere and question such situations which occur
in a domestic or private setting. However, the complex nature of relationship and family of the
contemporary world has made it relevant for the existence of such legislations which ensure
safety, security and resolve for the disputes which dismantles the family and leave the members
being affected for the same.
The evolution of families and relationships has been a great influencer in the process of
social evolution. Therefore, family law reform has also been of great importance as it has grown
peculiarly sensitive to the change of the society and environment. There has been growing
diversity among families too. Due to all these reasons it has been necessary to ascertain safety
and well being of children which are paramount for their growth (Menski, 2013). The family law
in Australia is very relevant in the modern context when the background id examined with
attention. It will reveal a great deal of challenges when it comes to the relationships with children
and how these can be solved. The family court of Australia had to bring changes to the
legislations which existed from before as there was need for the same. The laws which existed
were not adequate to solve the issues and provide justice to the instances which required
interference. Therefore, reforms were much needed to address the issues. Family Law Act of
1970s is one of the most significant reforms made by the Australian government to meet the
challenging cases.

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FAMILY AND CHILDREN
The Act was passed in May 1975 in the Australian parliament and was enforced in 1976.
This act has been successful in addressing and bringing reforms to two aspects of the Australian
society notably. Firstly, marriage break down has been addressed with the reform. It has
acknowledged the no fault divorce which was considered to be very necessary. The reform has
also advocated the need to have multidisciplinary court which aim at solving the disputes which
exist within family. This is primarily dealt by the Family Court of Australia. The Matrimonial
Causes Act had allowed spouses to end marriages when there were matrimonial offences in the
relationship (Drozd, Saini & Olesen, 2016). Due to this, couples who wanted to end their
marriage no longer had to go through expensive and tedious court procedures to have the same.
Therefore, there no longer was any need to defend or accuse the other with allegations of
misconduct to have divorce. The divorce decree could be filed after a tenure of 12 months only.
The reform also became friendly to the people it catered to as it was less expensive. These
changes in the society and marriages, as a result shown cultural shift within the society. Divorce
previously was associated with ideas bearing shameful connotations which could have been done
away with, as the reforms were made. It only required some administrative procedure in order to
obtain the status of being single from married when it was desired. Unhappy marriages have
been the reason behind many societal problems like abusive relationships, domestic violence,
victimization of children, deserted wives and so on. The reformation brought relief to several
lives (Baude, Pearson & Drapeau, 2016).
Another significant change which aided families and children alike to sort out disputes
was the provision of family court which were dedicated to provide aid, support and justice to the
distressed with problems arising from the domestic space. The Family Law Act brought this
remarkable change which established sections which specifically aimed at providing support and