Australia’s largest legal conference honours 40 years of the Family Law Act

Australia’s largest legal conference honours 40 years of the Family Law Act

The National Family Law Conference has commenced in Melbourne today with a comprehensive 3-day program featuring distinguished legal experts from Australia and overseas.

With more than 1000 family law professionals from across the country in attendance, the Conference is Australia’s largest regular legal event.

Chair of the Law Council of Australia’s Family Law Section, Wendy Kayler-Thomson, said this year’s Conference will mark the 40th anniversary of the commencement of the Family Law Act – a milestone in Australia’s legal history.

“The Family Law Act was revolutionary. It created no-fault divorce and recognised the homemaker and parent contribution in property division.  It enshrined in law the principle that, when judges make parenting decisions, the best interests of the child is the paramount consideration,” Ms Kayler-Thomson said.

The program includes the Hon Elizabeth Evatt AC, the first Chief Justice of the Family Court of Australia and the first female appointed to an Australian federal court.

The Commonwealth Attorney-General, Senator the Hon George Brandis QC, will address the Conference, along with Chief Justice the Hon Diana Bryant AO and Chief Judge John Pascoe AC CVO.

For full details of the program and session times go to http://www.familylaw2016.com.au/program/

Patrick Pantano: Public Affairs                                             Anil Lambert: Media

P 02 6246 3715                                                                            P 0416 426 722
E Patrick.Pantano@lawcouncil.asn.au                                       E anil@hortonadvisory.com.au

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