Face of Nation : Pauline Hanson has launched an extraordinary attack against women who she claims are lying about domestic violence in the family courts. The prime minister has selected the One Nation leader as deputy chair of a parliamentary inquiry into family law.
When repeatedly pressed, she suggested contacting men’s rights groups to back up her allegations. The Queenslander insisted she was not siding with men involved in family court disputes, but simply wanted children have access to both of their parents.
“These people need to move on with their lives,” Senator Hanson said. “Get over the hate, the pain of a break-up, it’s about working together to find the answers to all this.” Men’s groups have applauded the upcoming inquiry but it’s been met with fierce criticism from anti-domestic violence campaigners.
It comes barely two years after another parliamentary inquiry into the family courts, and just months after the Law Reform Commission undertook its own review.
The latest committee, chaired by Liberal stalwart Kevin Andrews, will investigate court time frames and costs, custody arrangements and child support payments. “This isn’t about picking sides,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison told the Seven Network.
“It’s about listening to Australians and ensuring that we’re taking a timely review talking directly to them.” Prominent anti-domestic violence campaigner Rosie Batty is furious with the decision to launch yet another family law inquiry.
“It is completely unacceptable for us to have another inquiry. We have had multiple inquiries about the failings of the family law court system. I have campaigned also for changes,” Ms Batty told ABC radio.
“There has been a Law Reform Commission inquiry with 60 recommendations presented to the government earlier this year – not one recommendation has been acknowledged or enforced.” Ms Batty said it was unacceptable for politicians with their own agendas to lead the inquiry.
“We know the failings, we need to start investing in this court system that is broken, overwhelmed and failing. It is continuing to put families, particularly children, in danger,” she said.Greens senator Nick McKim said the “toxic” inquiry was a “sop” to One Nation by the Morrison government.
“What we won’t support is an inquiry stacked with extremists that have pre-determined, non-expert opinions on the gendered drivers of violence against women and their children,” he said.
