• Australian law Reform Commission

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17 March 2011Access to independent financial resources, such as those provided under social security law, can provide economic security and independence to facilitate the safety of those experiencing family violence.

This Issues Paper deals with the treatment of family violence in Commonwealth social security law, including under the:

• Social Security Act 1991 (Cth);

• Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 (Cth); and

• Social Security (International Agreements) Act 1999 (Cth).

This is the final of four Issues Papers released for the Family Violence and Commonwealth Laws Inquiry, carried out by the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC).

Responses are sought and must be submitted by 27 April 2010.

Click here for information on making an online submission>

On 9 July 2010, the Attorney-General of Australia, the Hon Robert McClelland MP, asked the ALRC to inquire and report on the treatment of family violence in Commonwealth laws, including child support and family assistance law, immigration law, employment law, social security law and superannuation law and privacy provisions in relation to those experiencing family violence.

The ALRC was requested to consider what, if any, improvements could be made to relevant legal frameworks to protect the safety of those experiencing family violence.

In undertaking the Inquiry, the ALRC was asked to consider legislative arrangements across the Commonwealth that impact on those experiencing family violence and whether those arrangements impose barriers to supporting effectively those adversely affected by this type of violence.

The ALRC was also asked to consider whether the extent of sharing of information across the Commonwealth and with state and territory agencies is appropriate to protect the safety of those experiencing family violence.