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

The ALRC recommended removing the criteria stipulating the weight a court should give to a child's views. The simpler provision makes the importance of considering a child's views clearer on the face of the legislation. The court will still have discretion to consider a child's views in light of the child's particular circumstances and determine how much weight to place on them. It is anticipated the court would need to consider the child's views which are not relevant to the parenting proceedings and determining what is in the child's best interests.