Budget provides substantial funding to the FCFCOA

Substantial funding announced in the 2022–23 Budget has been welcomed by the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA).

The funding provides $63.75 million of additional resources, over the 4 years to 2025–26, for the broad expansion of the Lighthouse model to address family violence and the appointment of a number of Indigenous Family Liaison Officers.

Specifically, the funding allows for:

• A comprehensive funding package for family law officers to support the expansion of the Lighthouse model to 15 registries in the FCFCOA. It also includes funding from 1 July 2022 equivalent to 71 family law positions, such as Senior Judicial Registrars, Judicial Registrars, Court Child Experts, Triage Counsellors and support staff for registrars and Court Child Experts.

• Funding from 1 July 2022 equivalent to 16 family law positions, including Indigenous Family Liaison Officers, a registrar, a Court Child Expert and support staff.

Chief Justice Alstergren AO said that the FCFCOA’s number one priority has been to shine a light on the scourge of family violence, improve the outcome of matters involving family violence, and to keep vulnerable parties and children safe.

Source: Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, 2022-23 Commonwealth Budget provides $71.5 million to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia for world-leading innovations, 26 October 2022.

Source: Preston & Preston (2022) FLC ¶94-108; [2022] FedCFamC1A 157, 5 October 2022.

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