Pauline Hanson Calls for Major Overhaul of Australia’s Family Law System

March 24, 2026 — One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson has delivered a strongly worded critique of Australia’s Family Law Act, describing it as a failed piece of legislation that has caused widespread suffering for families and children over the past 46 years.

In a Senate speech presenting the second interim report of the Joint Select Committee on Australia’s Family Law System, Hanson argued that the 1975 Act, introduced by Gough Whitlam to reduce the cost, delay and indignity of divorce, has instead created a complex, expensive and adversarial system that often harms those it was meant to help.

Hanson noted that the Act has been amended more than 110 times, yet each change has only made the system more complicated. She described family law proceedings as a “lottery” that produces winners and losers, leading to enormous emotional and financial suffering, family breakdown and, in some cases, increased suicide rates among those who feel they have lost everything.

The committee received more than 1,450 confidential submissions, many of them heartbreaking. Hanson thanked participants who shared their experiences in the hope of preventing others from suffering the same pain. She highlighted evidence regarding domestic violence, emphasising that it is unacceptable and must never be tolerated, but argued that the current broad definition needs to be broken down into clearer categories: domestic harassment, domestic threat, and domestic violence.

Hanson said the existing definition, which can include simply feeling in fear, has unintended consequences for separated parents, police, military personnel, blue card holders and others who require security clearances or gun licences. She called for the Council of Attorneys-General to review and harmonise definitions of domestic violence across Commonwealth, state and territory levels.

The Senator expressed concern that allegations of domestic violence are increasingly being used to bypass mandatory mediation requirements. She strongly believes children have a right to a meaningful relationship with both parents unless there is clear evidence of violent or abusive behaviour toward the child. She urged parents to put aside self-interest and vindictiveness during separation.

Hanson criticised what she described as a feminist agenda that portrays men as the sole perpetrators of domestic violence. While acknowledging that men account for around 75 per cent of such behaviour, she said the 25 per cent committed by women cannot be ignored. She also addressed the issue of filicide — the killing of a child by a parent — noting statistics showing both mothers and fathers can be perpetrators.

The plight of grandparents was another key focus. Hanson recommended that grandparents be granted a mandatory minimum of five hours of in-person contact per month with their grandchildren, or at least regular phone or video contact, to maintain important family relationships.

She called for greater accountability in the family law system, including measures to address perjury and false allegations. Hanson also criticised the financial incentives within the legal profession, suggesting that high legal fees and prolonged cases sometimes benefit lawyers more than families.

The speech reflects long-standing concerns about the Family Law Act’s complexity, cost and impact on children. While many legal experts agree the system needs reform, opinions differ on the extent and nature of changes required. Some support incremental improvements to mediation, cost controls and case management, while others, like Hanson, argue for more fundamental reform.

The committee’s interim report is expected to inform ongoing discussions about family law reform. Key issues likely to be examined further include improving access to justice, protecting children’s relationships with both parents where safe, ensuring fair definitions of domestic violence, and addressing the financial burden on separating families.

Hanson’s contribution highlights the emotional weight of family law matters and the need for a system that prioritises the best interests of children while treating all parties fairly. The debate is likely to continue as Parliament considers the committee’s recommendations and potential legislative changes.

Pauline Hanson Calls for Major Overhaul of Australia’s Family Law System

March 24, 2026 — One Nation Senator Pauline Hanson has delivered a strongly worded critique of Australia’s Family Law Act, describing it as a failed piece of legislation that has caused widespread suffering for families and children over the past 46 years.

In a Senate speech presenting the second interim report of the Joint Select Committee on Australia’s Family Law System, Hanson argued that the 1975 Act, introduced by Gough Whitlam to reduce the cost, delay and indignity of divorce, has instead created a complex, expensive and adversarial system that often harms those it was meant to help.

Hanson noted that the Act has been amended more than 110 times, yet each change has only made the system more complicated. She described family law proceedings as a “lottery” that produces winners and losers, leading to enormous emotional and financial suffering, family breakdown and, in some cases, increased suicide rates among those who feel they have lost everything.

The committee received more than 1,450 confidential submissions, many of them heartbreaking. Hanson thanked participants who shared their experiences in the hope of preventing others from suffering the same pain. She highlighted evidence regarding domestic violence, emphasising that it is unacceptable and must never be tolerated, but argued that the current broad definition needs to be broken down into clearer categories: domestic harassment, domestic threat, and domestic violence.

Hanson said the existing definition, which can include simply feeling in fear, has unintended consequences for separated parents, police, military personnel, blue card holders and others who require security clearances or gun licences. She called for the Council of Attorneys-General to review and harmonise definitions of domestic violence across Commonwealth, state and territory levels.

The Senator expressed concern that allegations of domestic violence are increasingly being used to bypass mandatory mediation requirements. She strongly believes children have a right to a meaningful relationship with both parents unless there is clear evidence of violent or abusive behaviour toward the child. She urged parents to put aside self-interest and vindictiveness during separation.

Hanson criticised what she described as a feminist agenda that portrays men as the sole perpetrators of domestic violence. While acknowledging that men account for around 75 per cent of such behaviour, she said the 25 per cent committed by women cannot be ignored. She also addressed the issue of filicide — the killing of a child by a parent — noting statistics showing both mothers and fathers can be perpetrators.

The plight of grandparents was another key focus. Hanson recommended that grandparents be granted a mandatory minimum of five hours of in-person contact per month with their grandchildren, or at least regular phone or video contact, to maintain important family relationships.

She called for greater accountability in the family law system, including measures to address perjury and false allegations. Hanson also criticised the financial incentives within the legal profession, suggesting that high legal fees and prolonged cases sometimes benefit lawyers more than families.

The speech reflects long-standing concerns about the Family Law Act’s complexity, cost and impact on children. While many legal experts agree the system needs reform, opinions differ on the extent and nature of changes required. Some support incremental improvements to mediation, cost controls and case management, while others, like Hanson, argue for more fundamental reform.

The committee’s interim report is expected to inform ongoing discussions about family law reform. Key issues likely to be examined further include improving access to justice, protecting children’s relationships with both parents where safe, ensuring fair definitions of domestic violence, and addressing the financial burden on separating families.

Hanson’s contribution highlights the emotional weight of family law matters and the need for a system that prioritises the best interests of children while treating all parties fairly. The debate is likely to continue as Parliament considers the committee’s recommendations and potential legislative changes.

The Family Law Act remains one of the most contentious areas of Australian law, touching on deeply personal issues of love, loss, parenting and justice. Any meaningful reform will require careful balancing of competing interests and a commitment to evidence-based policy that serves families rather than prolonging their pain.

The Family Law Act remains one of the most contentious areas of Australian law, touching on deeply personal issues of love, loss, parenting and justice. Any meaningful reform will require careful balancing of competing interests and a commitment to evidence-based policy that serves families rather than prolonging their pain.