Like what you've read?

On Line Opinion is the only Australian site where you get all sides of the story. We don't
charge, but we need your support. Here�s how you can help.

  • Advertise

    We have a monthly audience of 70,000 and advertising packages from $200 a month.

  • Volunteer

    We always need commissioning editors and sub-editors.

  • Contribute

    Got something to say? Submit an essay.


 The National Forum   Donate   Your Account   On Line Opinion   Forum   Blogs   Polling   About   
On Line Opinion logo ON LINE OPINION - Australia's e-journal of social and political debate

Subscribe!
Subscribe





On Line Opinion is a not-for-profit publication and relies on the generosity of its sponsors, editors and contributors. If you would like to help, contact us.
___________

Syndicate
RSS/XML


RSS 2.0

Breaking-up is hard to do

By Arti Sharma - posted Wednesday, 19 April 2006


It seems nothing more than an example of symbolic politics so that the government is seen to be doing something. In fact, the centres will have little positive effect. They will strip the community sector of its independent identity and will be costly as well.

Unlike the British, the Australian Government will not organise trials. A four-year budget has been allocated and all centres are to be established by 2008. But given that similar models incorporating compulsory dispute resolution did not work elsewhere, FRCs should at least be tested before being introduced here.

There is also the looming question of what are the government's real aims? Are they hoping to salvage marriages or are they trying to make it easier for people to separate?

Advertisement

When a couple steps into a dispute resolution session, should they expect to be working on repairing their relationship or ending it amicably? Are these objectives even compatible?

Already the Attorney-General, Phillip Ruddock, has likened Family Relationship Centres "to aircraft control centres" - the first point of contact for couples.

In reality these centres represent the increasing control of the state over the lives of individuals. By incorporating the community sector and making dispute resolution compulsory, the government effectively has complete control over the decision-making process of divorcing couples with children. These changes give new meaning to the "nanny state".

The government now babysits you as well as your children.

The fictional couple in the movie clearly needed guidance to develop the best blueprint for their children. But if the government continues down this path, the bureaucratic driftnet will only get wider.

  1. Pages:
  2. 1
  3. Page 2
  4. All

First published in The Courier-Mail on April 12, 2006. The full paper is available at the Centre for Independent Studies website (pdf file 121KB).



Discuss in our Forums

See what other readers are saying about this article!

Click here to read & post comments.

13 posts so far.

Share this:
reddit this reddit thisbookmark with del.icio.us Del.icio.usdigg thisseed newsvineSeed NewsvineStumbleUpon StumbleUponsubmit to propellerkwoff it

About the Author

Arti Sharma is a policy analyst at the Centre for Independent Studies.

Other articles by this Author

All articles by Arti Sharma

Creative Commons LicenseThis work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Photo of Arti Sharma
Article Tools
Comment 13 comments
Print Printable version
Subscribe Subscribe
Email Email a friend
Advertisement

About Us Search Discuss Feedback Legals Privacy