How Much is it Worth? Legal Discourses and Everyday Understandings of Families, Work and Property. This project will analyse the extent of congruence between the legal discourses and everyday understandings of the contributions made by partners in married and unmarried relationships that form the basis for property division when relationships end. Its claim to innovation lies in its interdisciplinary approach, positioning such understandings within their wider historical and cultural contexts. T ....How Much is it Worth? Legal Discourses and Everyday Understandings of Families, Work and Property. This project will analyse the extent of congruence between the legal discourses and everyday understandings of the contributions made by partners in married and unmarried relationships that form the basis for property division when relationships end. Its claim to innovation lies in its interdisciplinary approach, positioning such understandings within their wider historical and cultural contexts. The project's findings will inform the ongoing and divisive debates between the court, the media and consumers about the justice of such distributions in Australia, providing a basis for design of laws that better meet the needs of the diverse range of Australian families. Read moreRead less
Superannuation and divorce in Australia: an evaluation of post-reform legal practice and property settlement outcomes. The project evaluates the impact of the new Family Law Legislation Amendment (Superannunation) Act 2001, which includes superannuation as property that can be split between the parties. It investigates the ways in which the Courts, legal advisers and divorcing parties take superannuation into account when marriages end. This research assumes, on the basis of previous studies, th ....Superannuation and divorce in Australia: an evaluation of post-reform legal practice and property settlement outcomes. The project evaluates the impact of the new Family Law Legislation Amendment (Superannunation) Act 2001, which includes superannuation as property that can be split between the parties. It investigates the ways in which the Courts, legal advisers and divorcing parties take superannuation into account when marriages end. This research assumes, on the basis of previous studies, that these groups will have difficulties applying this reform in practice, and that various procedural, social and financial factors may limit the broad application of this reform. This research is crucial to ensure that the reform results in improved financial security during retirement - especially for women.Read moreRead less
Making children's needs knowable to law. This project addresses the growing concerns that the family law system is not adequately safeguarding children's wellbeing in parenting cases. Its development of an evidence-based framework for decision-making will facilitate the production of outcomes that will better support the wellbeing of families affected by relationship breakdown.