Australian Attorney-General Pans Critics of Family Court Merger
Attorney-General Christian Porter has panned critics of the impending Family Court merger, saying those opposing the move have a “vested interest” in maintaining the status quo.
The Family Court’s merger with the Federal Court of Australia has received the Senate’s final tick of approval with support from crossbenchers Independent Senator Rex Patrick and One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson.
The radical move brings the Family Court of Australia under the umbrella of a new entity called the Federal Circuit and Family Court (FCFC).
The FCFC will retain two divisions, with the first division being a continuation of the Family Court and the second division being the Federal Court. Families will only need to go through a single entry point, whereas previously, they could be bounced between the courts.
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Sky News Political Editor Andrew Clennell says the government dumped the Better Off Overall Test from its industrial relations legislation after they couldn’t reach an agreement with One Nation.
It was introduced last year and was met with ire from the opposition and key employment groups.
The bill included a provision whereby the circumstances under which an employer can apply for an exemption of the Better Off Overall Test will be widened, which could see employers argue the coronavirus pandemic requires them to pay employees below the award rate.
The expansion of exceptional circumstances gives the employer far greater conditions under which they can argue they’ve been affected by coronavirus.
Mr Clennell said he predicted the controversial BOOT test would be dropped last December when he pressed Industrial Relations Minister Christian Porter on the matter.
“Labor will not be backing this bill. They would support a separate wage theft bill but say there are too many holes