Senate debates

Wednesday, 17 February 2021

Bills

Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Bill 2019, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2019; In Committee

8:58 pm

Photo of Nita GreenNita Green (Queensland, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Hansard source

Well—

The TEMPORARY CHAIR: The imputation is that the minister, by not challenging it, is agreeing with the assertion or is somehow deficient in her duty.

I don't see that I'm implying anything other than calling out those comments. Until this moment, I haven't heard the same comments from the minister. I will withdraw and allow the minister to have that opportunity once I ask my question.

The TEMPORARY CHAIR: Thank you. Please proceed. You have the call.

It's an important distinction to make. It's an important component of the support that we see from that side of the chamber around these changes. Somehow they think that they can use family violence as a justification to make changes to the Family Court. It's just not right and it does need to be called out.

I'll move on now to the substantive matter I have learned about tonight—some resourcing changes to the Adelaide registry as opposed to other registries around the country. We know that in Cairns there is an acute waiting problem. It's an example that's been used, and I'm sure that there are other registries that are problematic. I have met with the North Queensland Women's Legal Service on many an occasion. The No. 1 thing that they wanted to talk to me about the first time I spoke to them was their concerns about this merger bill and their concerns about the length of time that it's taking to get matters heard through the Cairns registry. What we have heard tonight is that there will be resources delivered to the registry in South Australia—because, as I have inferred from the debate tonight, some sort of deal has been done between Senator Patrick and the government—

Senator Patrick interjecting—

The TEMPORARY CHAIR: Order! Senator Patrick, interjections are disorderly.

Senator Patrick, I take that interjection. I will tell you tonight that I advocate every single day for every member of the Far North Queensland community and every single person who is affected by family violence, and you—

Senator Patrick interjecting—

Advocating for one portion of the community in this aspect makes you derelict in your duties as a senator of this parliament, because every single person—

The TEMPORARY CHAIR: Senator Green, please resume your seat. Senator Patrick, interjections are disorderly. Senator Green, I remind you to address your remarks through the chair. You have the call.

I would like to know from the minister—

The TEMPORARY CHAIR: Senator Hanson, on a point of order?

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