The proposed Family Court and Federal Circuit Court merger bills have not won support of the Senate and will not be passed into law (at least before the next election).

Attorney-General Christian Porter was not able to win crossbench senators’ support by Wednesday this week which was the final sitting day of the Senate before the federal election.

The Law Council of Australia and its Family Law Section opposed a merger of the Family Court and Federal Circuit Court of Australia. They support a stand-alone and specialised Family Court.

Law Council President, Arthur Moses SC said:

“Merging one court with another does not address significant underlying issues, including chronic underfunding and under-resourcing, which have led to crippling delays, pressures and costs.”

“There is no doubt the family law system is in need of reform but this was not the way forward…”

The public is awaiting the release of a Australian Law Reform Commission review of the family law system which was delivered to the government on March 31.

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