Holistic approach to protect children
Collaboration between state and federal courts has resulted in a more holistic approach to better protect children in domestic and family violence matters.
Under the new approach, Queensland Courts’ staff will help to ensure magistrates have timely access to family law orders.
Access to a family law order is needed if a domestic violence order application is lodged with a family law order in place.
If the applicant cannot provide a copy of the family law order, Queensland Courts’ staff can now obtain a copy from the Family Court of Australia or Federal Circuit Court of Australia.
Previously, the courts were dependent on the applicant providing a copy of any relevant family law order, which potentially led to court delays or magistrates not having access to a relevant order.
This new approach supports magistrates to consider modifying existing family law orders to ensure consistency with domestic violence orders, which is a requirement that has been strengthened by new laws offering greater protection for victims and children fleeing domestic and family violence.