This article describes the legislative background to the forming of the Australian Institute of Family Studies, from introduction of the Family Law Bill in 1973 until, on the last sitting day of 1974, in concluding his Second Reading Speech on the Bill, the Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam, said: “Finally, I would like to make a special mention of two provisions that have been inserted into the Bill to create a Family Law Council and an Institute for Family Studies...".