Divorce law changes?

Press, 15 July 1980, Page 21

Divorce law changes?

PA Midhurst The Government's proposals for a family law package which Parliament will debate later this year have been outlined by the Minister of Justice (Mr McLay). The package would include amendments to the law relating to separation, maintenance. custody, access, divorce and new legislation to establish family courts, Mr McLay said at a National Party branch dinner at Midhurst. Mr McLay said there would be only one ground for divorce: irreconcilable breakdown after two years. "The alleged fault of one or other party — which has provided such a fertile ground for lawyers’ arguments and, consequently, deep bitterness between the parties will no ’ longer be relevant,” he said. But Mr McLay said this

did not mean the law was being unduly liberalised. “On the contrary, at the moment as many as 20 per cent of ail divorces are granted on the ground of adultery" — this would no longer be immediately a ground for divorce. Mr McLay said domestic violence — a problem only touched on by the family law package — would be the subject of legislation next year. The legislation would ensure that the victims of domestic violence, whether man, woman or child, were afforded adequate protection by the law.