web links and documents
On July 11, 2009, The Sydney Morning Herald published a news report titled, 'Make it harder to divorce: Abbott'. The report gives some information on Tony Abbott's proposal that fault-based divorce be reintroduced. The full text of the article can be found at http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/make-it-harder-to-divorce-abbott-20090711-dgu2.htmlOn July 12, 2009, The Sydney Morning Herald published a news report titled, 'Abbott plugs fault-based divorce option', which outlines Tony Abbott's proposal to re-introduce opt-in fault-based divorced. The full text of the article can be found at http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-national/abbott-plugs-faultbased-divorce-option-20090712-dh2o.html
On July 12, 2009, The Sydney Morning Herald published a feature article giving more details of Tony Abbott's proposal regarding fault-based divorce. The article is written by Josh Gordon and is titled 'Battlelines are drawn with a nod to family tradition'. The full text of this article can be found at http://www.smh.com.au/national/battlelines-are-drawn-with-a-nod-to-family-tradition-20090711-dgp1.html
On July 14, 2009, the Internet social commentary site, socialcritic.net, published an opinion piece critical of Mr Abbott's fault-based divorce proposal. The full text of this comment can be found at http://www.socialcritic.net/no-fault-divorce/
On July 18, 2009, The Sydney Morning Herald published a feature article titled, 'The love-hate reality of Murphy's law'. The article presents in some detail arguments for and against no-fault divorce. The full text of this article can be found at http://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/the-lovehate-reality-of-murphys-law-20090717-do8h.html
On July 25, 2009, Radio National's AM program presented a range of views from a variety of stakeholders on the federal review of the Family Law Act. These comments indicate the wide divergence of opinion on the current operation of the Act and the benefits and disadvantages that could result from its reform.
A full transcript of the program can be found at http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2009/s2636240.htm
Family Law solicitor, Julie Singleton, has published an opinion piece on her Internet site. Ms Singleton gives qualified support to a reintroduction of fault-based divorce. The full text of this opinion can be found at http://www.juliesingleton.com/blog/?p=20
On December 26, 2006, Radio National's The Law Report examined the shortcomings of fault-based divorce. A full transcript of the program can be found at http://www.abc.net.au/rn/lawreport/stories/2006/1812502.htm
The United States Christian commentary site Leadership U has published two opinion pieces - one supporting fault-based divorce, the other opposing it. Though these comments derive from an American context, many of the arguments are relevant to the Australian situation. The full text of these opinion pieces can be found at http://www.leaderu.com/ftissues/ft9708/articles/gallagher.html