Page 14 - NLN Feb18

A BETTER WAY
TO RESOLVE CHILD CUSTODY BATTLES

ON THE HORIZON?

Although not well known, any not as a parent. Over time, many initiatives rather than being required to sit passively
member of the public has the have been trialled to solve this problem and hear out each of the parent’s grievances
right to go and observe any Court including, creating a lower-tiered Court before attempting to step in with a solution.
proceedings on any day. with simplified procedures and compulsory
mediation. Each initiative has had some If approved by the Senate, the first Panel
This right is based on the principle that success, but none have significantly will operate as a pilot program in Paramatta
reduced the proliferation of parenting
with a second location to be chosen later
justice must not only be done but “seen to cases constantly clogging the Court. this year. The proof will be in the tasting but
be done” . In the Supreme or District Courts at first glance, the initiative and the driving
on George Street, the spectator is likely to intuition behind it certainly offers strong
witness a very orderly process. Lawyers in “ ...in truth the arguments are promise of giving warring parents a much
wigs and gowns each wait their turn and more suitable avenue for the resolution of
converse in drab monotones over rules and often more about ventilating their disputes.
procedure that would bore most people to hatred and distrust over failures
sleep. Over in the Family Court on Tank Street as a partner and not a parent. “ *and not the good kind that respects animal
however, the scene on most days, is more welfare.
resemblant of a Zoo*! Family Court judges
are often seen shouting and repetitively
reprimanding/disciplining litigants for rule Starting from 2018 however, the Michael Zande is a Queensland Law Society
infringements as they attempt to fight Government is planning to trial a new lower accredited family law specialist with over 25
their way through impossible lists of 20+ level style of Court which is to be called a years experience in the field. He is the principal
disputes all scheduled for determination by “Parenting Management Hearing Panel”. at Zande Law Solicitors, Suite 7, Norwinn Centre,
one Judge in one day. Panel Members will hold expertise in family 15 Discovery Drive, North Lakes. To contact
law, mediation, family violence, psychology, Michael for advice, phone 3385 0999.
Many of these cases involve parents battling mental health and child development.
over the care arrangements best suited for Like a Court, the Panel’s decisions will be The information in this article is merely a guide
their children. Under a Court adversarial binding on the parents but unlike a Court, and is not a full explanation of the law. This firm
system, each litigant is permitted to present the Panel can operate in a more proactive cannot take responsibility for any action readers
their case or “have their say” but in truth the inquisitorial manner. This means the Panel take based on this information. When making
arguments are often more about ventilating would be entitled to take control of the decisions that could affect your legal rights, please
hatred and distrust over failures as a partner dispute and ask the parents the questions contact us for professional advice.

BUREAU OF METEOROLOGY PREDICTS

Wetter than Average February

The Bureau of Meteorology has released their Climate outlook for SPOTTING LA NIÑA TYPICAL IMPACTS OTHER IMPACTS
February and it’s looking to be a wetter and cooler month, thanks O N O U R CLI M AT E
to the current La Nina. in the tropical Pacific Ocean cool, RAINFALL INCREASES MORE TROPICAL CYCLONES
IN EASTERN, CENTRAL
both at the surface and below
In fact, it appears the it will likely be a wetter than average three TEMPERATURE INCREASED CHANCE OF WIDESPREAD FLOODING
AND NORTHERN AUSTRALIA
LONGER DURATION HEATWAVES IN SOUTHEAST,
months for parts of western and eastern Australia, including Far changes across the Pacific; DECREASES SOUTH OF THE TROPICS EARLIER FIRST RAINS ACROSS
BUT LESS INTENSE
NORTHERN AUSTRALIA
North Queensland, which has had a very dry start to its wet season. higher in the east, lower in the west (DAYTIME TEMPERATURES) INCREASED CHANCE OF INDIAN OCEAN HEATWAVES
Weak La Niña conditions are currently present in the tropical Pacific are much stronger than normal
Ocean. Models suggest this event will end by mid-Autumn. EVERY LA NIÑA IS DIFFERENT
February’s median rainfall as recorded at the Redcliffe station is decreases near LA NIÑA WINTER AND SPRING RAINFALL
109.8mm. the Date Line LA NIÑA
Historical outlook accuracy for February to April rainfall is of IN AUSTRALIA 1938
moderate accuracy for our region but is still used as part of the WHEN DO THEY OCCUR?
calculation for determining the climate outlooks. USUALLY LA NIÑA DEVELOPS IN
AND FINISHES THE FOLLOWING AUTUMN 1973
For more information on climate outlooks and more,visit HALF OF ALL LA NIÑA
EVENTS HAVE LASTED FOR
www.bom.gov.au 2 3YEARS RED = DRIER THAN NORMAL
BLUE = WETTER THAN NORMAL
ON AVERAGE THERE HAVE BEEN
THEY OCCUR EVERY THE 2010–12 LA NIÑA SAW A LA NIÑA EVENTS HAVE LED TO
5 MM DROP IN
WIDESPREAD
SINCE 1900
3 7 YEARS OF EL NIÑO
WET CONDITIONS
EVENTS ARE GLOBAL SEA LEVEL
FOLLOWED BY AS MORE EVAPORATED SEA WATER
LA NIÑA RAINED OVER LAND THAN NORMAL
www.bom.gov.au