Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Education) Share this | Hansard source

The government did this because we believe that it does simplify. The ALRC found that the current provisions are largely duplicative of the best-interests factor, with inconsistencies in wording between the two provisions. The ALRC also found that many parties to proceedings misunderstood the interaction between the objectives and the principles and the substantive law, incorrectly assuming that provisions would directly affect decision-making. The consultation process on the bill showed that there is little support for the retention of the current objectives and principles in the context of a simplified parenting framework. The simplified objects clause proposed by the government makes a clear statement that the objects of the children section of the act is to ensure that their best interests are met.