Violence probe on hold

Henderson committee pulls plug on judges

VICTIMS who drove from Geelong to Canberra to participate in an inquiry chaired by Corangamite MP Sarah Henderson left disappointed this week, after the committee cancelled scheduled appearances from two of Australia’s chief family law justices.

The inquiry into how to protect victims of family violence in the court system was due to hear testimony from Family Court of Australia Chief Justice Diana Bryant and Federal Circuit Court of Australia Chief Judge John Pascoe on June 20, but the hearing was scrapped at the eleventh hour.

Family law advocate Annie Kelly, who leads the Fyansford-based Help Family Law organisation, said the cancellation was an “absolute disappointment” for her clients, some of whom couldn’t afford airfares and had driven to the nation’s capital ahead of the testimony.

Help Family Law was the only Geelong group to make a submission to the inquiry.

“I just feel really sorry for everyone who drove to Canberra . . . it’s not fair on them,” Ms Kelly said.

She didn’t believe the cancellation would derail the committee’s future work.

The committee voted to postpone Justice Bryant and Judge Pascoe’s appearances on Ms Henderson’s recommendation, following recent concerns caused by Federal Coalition MPs being dragged before the judiciary for alleged contempt.

“Given recent proceedings in the Victorian Supreme Court, the committee should seek the Attorney-General’s advice on the appropriateness of senior members of the judiciary appearing for questioning by members of parliament,” an inquiry release stated.

Committee deputy chair and Newcastle Labor MP Sharon Claydon said she was “deeply disappointed” by the decision.

“The decision demonstrates outrageous disrespect to our chief judicial officers and blatant disregard for parliamentary processes and the important work of this inquiry into family violence and the law,” Ms Claydon said.

Ms Claydon said Ms Henderson had cancelled the hearing citing “concerns about potential issues regarding separation of powers”.

“I have seen no evidence to legitimise these concerns,” Ms Claydon said.

“I can’t understand why the judges are now being silenced, but it’s clear to me that we don’t have the whole story.”

Ms Henderson said the decision to postpone the public hearing and seek advice from the Attorney-General was “prudent and responsible”.

“I am disappointed that Labor’s deputy chair has sought to politicise the committee’s decision,” Ms Henderson told the Geelong Advertiser.

Since its March launch, the parliamentary inquiry has been inundated with more than 3000 responses from across the country, and has received 114 formal submissions.