People going through de facto property and maintenance matters who have orders in the federal family law courts will have the process simplified after the Australian Government rectified an error in the law-making process.
Attorney-General Nicola Roxon said the Bill will correct oversights in 2006 and 2009 where Proclamations were not made to bring into effect changes to the Family Law Act. The Bill will also remove the need for these rare types of proclamations to be made in the future in relation to the Family Law Act.
“This legislation will put people in the same position they would have been if these Proclamations had been made on schedule,” Ms Roxon said.
“I welcome statements by the Opposition and the Greens that they will support this legislation and look forward to its early passage through the Parliament.”
Ms Roxon also encouraged people who have orders which might be affected by the lack of Proclamation to continue to comply with them.
“The legislation will eliminate the need for anyone to go back to court to seek new orders,” Ms Roxon said.
A Proclamation under section 40 of the Family Law Act 1975 has been made setting 11 February 2012 as the date from which the federal family courts could exercise this jurisdiction, ensuring there is no doubt about the validity of orders made after
10 February 2012.
10 February 2012.
Further information can be found at www.ag.gov.au.
