Territory stakeholders sign letter to Attorney-General in opposition of proposed Family Court merger

MORE than 150 stakeholders, including several from the NT, have signed a letter opposing the federal Government’s bill to abolish the stand-alone Family Court

• Family Court, Federal Circuit Court merger to pass parliament

MORE than 150 stakeholders, including several from the NT, has signed a letter opposing the federal Government’s bill to abolish the stand-alone Family Court.

Legislation to merge the Family Court with the Federal Circuit Court is set to pass after the Government won the support of independent senator Rex Patrick yesterday.

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However, 155 stakeholders, including Tessa Snowdon of the NT Council of Social Service and Leanne Melling of the NT Sex Worker Outreach Program, have signed a letter to Attorney-General Christian Supporter expressing their opposition to the change.

“Any reform should strengthen a system, not lead to the diminution of specialisation,” the letter says.

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“We believe an increase in specialisation in family law and family violence will increase the safety of children and adult victims-survivors of family violence.”

The letter has also been signed by 11 retired Family Court and Federal Circuit Court Judges.