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

The objective of the bill is to simplify the existing complex framework of considerations when a court determines what is in the best interests of the child. As under the existing framework, the courts will still need to consider the views of the child and will continue to have discretion as to the weight they give those views. What is changing is the level of prescription about the considerations judicial officers must undertake and the detail they must provide in the reasoning for their decisions. This will ensure focus remains on what is in the best interests of a particular child and is in accordance with recommendation 5 of the ALRC report.