George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

Senator Madigan, in your ultimate question you asked me: is it not time to reform the Family Court? I think, because this is the jurisdiction that affects more Australians than any other jurisdiction and because, in this jurisdiction, every story is an unhappy one, at the end of the day, every story is an unhappy one. It is something that all governments must watch carefully and keep constantly under review. I might also say to you, Senator Madigan, that, of course, about 87 per cent of family law matters these days are not dealt with by the Family Court but by the Federal Circuit Court exercising a family law jurisdiction. So the Family Court does not do most of the family law cases these days. It does the more complex ones and the appeals. But I have indicated to you, Senator Madigan, two reports that the government is about to receive, and, of course, we note your interest, we acknowledge and respect your interest and we will keep the matter under review.