Parental Alienating Behaviours

The Hon. T.A. FRANKS (15:12): Supplementary: in taking that advice, has the Attorney-General become aware of concerns that claims of parental alienation actually disguise true abuse, such as the child abuse that has been inflicted upon a child that DPC ignored—the sexual abuse by a father for some years?

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Attorney-General, Minister for Industrial Relations and Public Sector) (15:12): I thank the honourable member for her question. I am not aware of the specific circumstances the honourable member is talking about but, as I have said, in this area it has become apparent that many who advocate for this have had personal issues and dissatisfaction with the family law system. I and I think many would want to be very, very certain that it wouldn't have outcomes that were not in the interests of children; many of those who have participated in this debate fear it might.