New account statements have arrived and should start to be delivered during late January. The CSA say that when you receive your new statement , you will see that it looks like a utility company and bank statement. You will find it is easier to read and follow - At a quick glance you will be able to find important information about your account. The latest issue (December) of the "Child Support Matters" newsletter also says that the CSA has finished the extensive developme...

Grandparents who care for grandchildren full-time have ignored a request by the state government to report their adult children to the Child Support Agency to enforce maintenance payments. The sole grandparent known to the Herald who has complied with the request so far was abused by her daughter after the agency contacted her about making payments. The former Labor government caused panic among grandparent carers in February last year when it initiated a review of their e...

The Australian Association for Infant Mental Health has issued guidelines for "protecting the very young child's sense of comfort and security'', for infants prior to the age of two years and say overnight time away from the primary care-giver should be avoided, "unless necessary'' The SPCA has rejected the findings based on misguided and anecdotal evidence, and erroneous research labelling the report as unhelpful in dealing with complex and difficult separations between p...

All parties and practitioners should otherwise understand the basis upon which contact with Federal Magistrates (via their Associates) about substantive matters should - or should not - occur. All such communication must be undertaken with care to ensure that the impartiality and integrity of the Court is not undermined (see R v Fisher [2009] VSCA 100; R v Phillips [2009] QCA 57 and John Holland Rail Pty Ltd v Comcare [2011] FCAFC 34). It is not usually appropriate for any...