Family Law

Family Law Act 1975

Governs divorce, parenting, property and child custody

Marriage Act 1961

Legal requirements of marriage

Family Law Amendment (Shared Parental Responsibility) Act 2006

Prioritizes child relationship with both parents

Family Law Amendment (Best interests of the child)

Prioritizes the "best interests of the child" when making parenting orders, and does not assume that a meaningful relationship with both parents is always in the child's best interest

Family Law Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Act 2011

Greater protection for children in domestic violence cases

Adoption Act 2000

Rules for adoption, consent and counselling

Crimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007

Introduced ADVO for domestic violence victims

Status of Children Act 1996

Equal rights for ex-nuptial chidlren

Same-Sex Relationships (Equal treatment in Commonwealth Laws) Act 2008

Recognized same-sex de facto relationships

Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017

Redefine marriage as "the union of two people to the exclusion of all others"

Child Support (Registration and Collection) Act 1988

Administers Child Support

Gilick v West Norfolk (1985)

Established child consent for medical treatment

Baby Gloria Case (2009)

Neglect led to death

R v Osland (1996)

Battered wife syndrome case, partial defense later recognized

R v Yusuf Aytugral (2009)

Domestic violence homicide, highlighted limits of ADVO protection

Lewis & Wackett (2010)

Court denied shared care where domestic violence risk existed

SMH Pole Dance Case (2013)

Prenup upheld, showing binding nature of financial agreements

Rosie Batty Case (2014)

Raised national awareness of domestic violence failures in the legal system