Recent submissions
Select a year: 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008
2018
-
Submission to ALRC Discussion Paper 86: Review of the family law system – November 2018
Presented findings from the Institute’s research program relevant to the Australian Law Reform Commission’s (ALRC) Discussion Paper 86. Identified a need for the family law system to give clear and up-to-date information about the family law system to adults and children, together with timely access to advice or support services; adopt child-inclusive approaches that enable children to participate in decision-making that affects them; adopt responses to family violence which are responsive to contemporary understandings and experiences; facilitate core competencies among family law professionals.
View submission as PDF [1.1 MB]
Submission to the Inquiry into the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Bills (2018) – November 2018
Response to the inquiry into the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Bill 2018 and Federal Circuit and the Family Court of Australia (Consequential Amendment and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2018 (‘The Bills’), introduced into the House of Representatives on 23 August 2018. Outlined AIFS’ research into the complexity of family law matters and the prevalence of matters in family courts involving allegations of family violence or safety concerns. Emphasised the importance of ensuring that judicial and court personnel have the experience and skills to handle and determine complex and high-risk matters. Recommended a holistic approach to family law which takes into account risk factors, safety concerns and the complex dynamics of family violence and abuse. Recommended that reforms make the system accessible to parties who may face additional challenges in engaging with the system.
View submission as PDF [1.2 MB] -
Submission to the Australian Government Department of Health: Draft Charter of Aged Care Rights – October 2018
Provided general comment on the proposed Draft Charter and reflections on specific rights in the Draft Charter. Noted that the broad language of the Draft Charter may impact on the ability of service providers and individuals to understand what aged care rights entail. Highlighted the need for further explanatory information (including definitions of the terms) to strengthen the legal protection of rights and clarify service providers’ obligations. Also suggested ongoing monitoring and evaluation after implementation.
View submission as PDF [ 742 KB] -
Submission to the House of Representatives Select Committee on Intergenerational Welfare Dependence – Inquiry into Intergenerational Welfare Dependence - September 2018
AIFS’ submission highlighted 'the importance of service systems that are responsive to the needs of vulnerable families – and the particular value of coordinated, responsive systems in the context of communities that experience high levels of social and economic disadvantage’.
The submission advised that ‘[w]hile encouraging greater workforce participation is one way of addressing poverty and disadvantage, the story around families and joblessness is not straightforward’.
It recommended that ‘complex issues require policy and service responses which are tailored to the experiences and aspirations of families themselves’.
View submission as PDF [823 KB]
- Submission to the Australian Law Reform Commission – Review of the family law system - August 2018
AIFS’ submission ‘highlighted the prevalence of complex issues characterising families that access the family law system’. It emphasised that there ‘needs to be a strong focus on securing the safety and best interests of children, and on supporting families in addressing safety concerns via timely and effective support services and dispute resolution.’
‘AIFS data point to the need for a system that is both trauma-informed and whole-of-family in its focus; that aims to support families in addressing their underlying issues; and a system that prioritises the best interests of children via child-centred and child-inclusive approaches.’
View submission as PDF [3.9 MB] -
Submission to the National Children's Commissioner, Children’s rights – August 2018
Presented findings from AIFS’ research program since 2012 relevant to the issues and challenges faced by children and young people in Australia and Australia’s progress with its obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Emphasised the importance of facilitating the participation of children and young people in decisions that affect them. Highlighted the need for a strong evidence base to inform policy and practice, and in particular having research informed by the voices of children and young people.
View submission as PDF [11.1 MB]
- Submission to The Senate Environment and Communications References Committee Inquiry into gaming micro-transactions for chance-based items - July 2018
This submission to the Federal Government reviews the role of chance-based microtransactions in online multiplayer video games and the consumer protection and regulatory challenges posed by these new and emerging products.
View submission as a PDF [568 KB]
2017
- Submission to the Parliamentary inquiry into a better family law system to support and protect those affected by family violence (PDF 578 KB) - April 2017
- Submission to Gaming Machine Harm Minimisation Measures Consultation Paper, Department of Justice and regulation, Government of Victoria
This submission to the Victorian Government discusses evidence regarding the appropriateness of existing and planned harm-minimisation measures for EGMs. - View submission as a PDF [89 KB]
- Submission to the Senate Standing Committees on Environment and Communications, Participation of Australians in online poker inquiry - July 2017
- This submission provides statistics informing of the participation of Australians in online poker, and the nature and extent of harms arising from participation in online poker
- View submission as a PDF [PDF 633 KB]
2016
- Inquiry into the 2016 Census - September 2016
Commonwealth of Australia Senate Standing Committees on Economics - Settlement experiences of recently arrived humanitarian migrants – Insights from the first wave of the Building a New Life in Australia Longitudinal Study of Humanitarian Migrants - March 2016
Response to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection discussion paper: Australia’s Humanitarian Programme 2016-17 - Inquiry into surrogacy: Oral evidence given at public hearing in Canberra - March 2016
Commonwealth of Australia Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs - Submission to Gaming Machine Arrangements Review by the Victorian Government - February 2016
- Inquiry and report in relation to the Interactive Gambling Amendment (Sports Betting Reform) Bill 2015 - February 2016
Senate Standing Committees on Environment and Communications, Parliament of Australia
2015
- Inquiry into economic security for women in retirement - October 2015
Senate Standing Committees on Economics, Parliament of Australia - Issues Paper: Establishing an Institute of Open Adoption - July 2015
NSW Department of Families and Community Services (FACS) - Submission for the Family Violence Royal Commission - May 2015
Family Violence Royal Commission - Examination of children affected by family and domestic violence (PDF 7.5 MB) - May 2015
National Children’s Commissioner
2014
- Inquiry into domestic violence in Australia - June 2014
Senate Finance and Public Administration References Committee - Inquiry into the Australian Citizenship Amendment (Intercountry Adoption) Bill 2014 - July 2014
Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee - Submission for the Parliamentary Inquiry into the Child Support Program (DOC 2 MB) - June 2014
House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs - Letter submission relating to the examination of how children and young people under 18 years can be better protected from intentional self-harm and suicidal behaviour - May 2014
National Children’s Commissioner - AIFS submission to consultations on second three-year action plan: National Plan to Reduce Violence Against Women and their Children - March 2014
Department of Social Services - Enhancing online safety for children: response to the public consultation on key election commitments (PDF 65 KB) - March 2014
Department of Communications public consultation on Enhancing Online Safety for Children - Grandparents who take primary responsibility for raising their grandchildrens (PDF 380 KB) - March 2014
Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs - Maternal employment and childcare in Australia - February 2014
Australian Government Productivity Commission Childcare and Early Childhood Learning Inquiry
2013
- Separated families and access to the family law system A research-informed holistic approach to the resolution and management of disputes over children (PDF 150 KB) - November 2013
Productivity Commission Issues Paper on Access to Justice - Submission by the Australian Psychological Society (APS) to the Royal Commission Issues Paper 3: Child Safe Institutions, supported by the Australian Institute of Family Studies (PDF 26 KB) - October 2013
Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse - Senate Select Committee on Cyber Safety Inquiry on options for addressing the issue of sexting by minors - July 2013
Cyber Safety Inquiry, Senate Joint Select Committee - Submission to the Family Law Council in relation to who is considered to be a parent of a child under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) - June 2013
Family Law Council, Attorney General's Department - Submission on the Workplace Gender Equality Act 2012 (WGE Act) - January 2013
Parliament of Australia
2012
- Response to the Commonwealth Attorney General's consultation paper on the establishment of the Royal Commission Into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse - November 2012
Attorney General's Department - Submission to the Leglislative Inquiry into the Handling of Child Abuse by Religious and Other Organisations - October 2012
Parliament of Victoria. Family and Community Development Committee - Australian Institute of Family Studies Submission to the House of Commons Justice Select Committee inquiry (CFB 51) - September 2012
UK House of Commons Justice Select Committee
2011
- Response to the consultation paper on best practice principles for use in parenting disputes when family violence or abuse is alleged - May 2011
Family Court of Australia. Federal Magistrates Court - Submission to the Senate Inquiry into the Family Law Legislation Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Bill 2011 - April 2011
Parliament of Australia. Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs - Submission to the Attorney General's Department on the Consultation Paper 'Children's Contact Services' - March 2011
Attorney General's Department - Inquiry into the Commonwealth Contribution to Former Forced Adoption Policies and Practices - February 2011
Parliament of Australia. Senate Standing Committee on Community Affairs - Submission to the Attorney General's Department on the discussion paper 'Forced and servile marriage: legal and service-based responses' - February 2011
Family Court of Australia. Federal Magistrates Court - Response to the exposure draft of the Family Law Amendment (Family Violence) Bill 2010 - January 2011
Attorney General's Department
2010
- Inquiry into the Commonwealth Commissioner for Children and Young People Bill 2010 - December 2010
Parliament of Australia. Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs - Submission to the Inquiry into family violence by the Australian Law Reform Commission and the New South Wales Law Reform Commission - July 2010
Australian Law Reform Commission. New South Wales Law Reform Commission - Inquiry into the safety of children and young people on the Internet (PDF 357 KB) - June 2010
Parliament of Australia. Joint Select Committee on Cyber-Safety - Review of Victoria's child protection legislative arrangements (PDF 903 KB) - April 2010
Victorian Law Reform Commission
2009
- Inquiry into Suicide in Australia (PDF 264 KB) - November 2009
Parliament of Australia. Senate Community Affairs References Committee - Reform of Australian Government Administration: Building the world's best public service - November 2009
Australian Government. Advisory Group on Reform of Australian Government Administration - Submission to the Family Courts Violence Review - November 2009
Attorney General's Department - Inquiry into the impact of violence on young Australians (PDF 973 KB) - October 2009
Parliament of Australia. House of Representatives Standing Committee on Family, Community, Housing and Youth - Australia's Response to Sexualised or Sexually Abusive Behaviours in Children and Young People - August 2009
Australian Crime Commission - Inquiry into implications of the proposed National Broadband Network - July 2009
Parliament of Australia. Senate Select Committee on the National Broadband Network - Inquiry into the Bullying of Children and Young People - March 2009
Parliament of New South Wales. General Purpose Standing Committee No. 2 - Inquiry into Regional and Remote Indigenous Communities (PDF 255 KB) - February 2009
Parliament of Australia. Senate Select Committee on Regional and Remote Indigenous Communities
2008
- Inquiry into Government Drought Support: Social impacts associated with drought - September 2008
Australian Government. Drought Policy Review Expert Social Panel - Inquiry into Government Drought Support: Government assistance for drought events - August 2008
Australian Government. Productivity Commission - Inquiry into the Family Law Amendment (De Facto Financial Matters and Other Measures) Bill 2008 [Provisions] - July 2008
Parliament of Australia. Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs - Inquiry into Better Support for Carers - July 2008
Parliament of Australia. House of Representatives Standing Committee on Family, Community, Housing and Youth - Inquiry into Paid Maternity, Paternity and Parental Leave - June 2008
Australian Government. Productivity Commission - Inquiry into Children and Young People 9-14 Years in NSW (PDF 4.5 MB) - May 2008
Parliament of New South Wales. Committee on Children and Young People - Inquiry into Child Protection Services in NSW - February 2008
New South Wales Government. Special Commission of Inquiry
AIFS podcasts
Leading researchers discuss significant issues affecting Australian families.
AIFStv
AIFS news
Get the latest news about our publications, research and upcoming events.
