Sent: Friday, 29 October 2021 3:57 PM
To: undisclosed-recipients:
Subject: Calling for submissions – Improving the Competency and Accountability of Family Report Writers [SEC=OFFICIAL]
OFFICIAL
Good afternoon
The Attorney-General’s Department has published a consultation paper, Improving the competency and accountability of family report writers.
The consultation paper seeks feedback on how the competency and accountability of professionals who prepare family reports could be improved, and the entities and mechanisms that could be engaged to achieve this. As you would be aware, family report writers play an important role in family law parenting matters and can be very influential in helping judges decide on parenting arrangements.
The paper was developed in response to recommendation 53 of the Australian Law Reform Commission Report – Family Law for the Future – An inquiry into the family law system, that the Attorney-General’s Department develop a mandatory national accreditation scheme for private family report writers. The Government agreed in principle to the recommendation and is seeking to explore options that may best ensure the competency of family report writers and the quality of the family reports they prepare.
The consultation paper is available on the Australian Attorney-General’s Department’s website with submissions requested by 3 December 2021.
The department invites you to make a submission in response to the consultation paper. The department is now using Citizen Space for its consultations. While answering the questions directly within Citizen Space is preferred and encouraged, Citizen Space also allows for a submission document (word or PDF) to be uploaded at the end of the consultation questions if you require.
Should you have any questions, the project team can be contacted at familyreportwriters@ag.gov.au.
We look forward to receiving your submission.
Family Report Writers Project Team
Family Law Branch
Families and Legal System Division
Australian Government Attorney-General’s Department
3-5 National Circuit | Barton ACT 2600