The Chief Justice (Division 1) and Chief Judge (Division 2) of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, the Hon Will Alstergren AO, together with the Commonwealth Attorney-General the Hon Mark Dreyfus, will deliver the State of the National address at the opening of the 19th National Family Law Conference in Adelaide on Monday 15 August.
The Chief Justice will address one of Australia’s most significant crises – the unacceptable prevalence of family violence experienced by vulnerable people and children throughout all areas of the community.
“As we all know, the prevalence of family violence in Australia is a national disgrace.
“It is time for us all to expect and perhaps demand that as a society we have a proper, national conversation about this disgraceful conduct. A conversation that seeks to properly understand the causes, to educate, to prevent and to condemn this behaviour. It is not a responsibility just placed on Government, it is a responsibility we should all bear, leaders of society, educators, communicators, leaders of industry, of sport, of community groups, of society, all sending the same message. As parents, sisters, brothers and families, as friends, as school teachers, as employers and as communities. As Australians saying, no,” Chief Justice Alstergren states.