It was great to gather with over 70 representatives from across the FRSA member network last week in Canberra for our annual Strategic Leadership Forum. If you look at the picture story in this week’s eBulletin, I hope you get a sense of the level of engagement, involvement and intensity of conversations and discussions over the two days.
The Attorney-General did attend a breakfast with delegates on Wednesday 12 September announcing the release of the FRSP Review Report. This is the long-anticipated Review conducted by lead reviewer, Mr Andrew Metcalfe AO looking at the future of the Commonwealth funded suite of family law services under the Family and Relationships Services Program. The resounding message arising out of the Report is just how important that program is for supporting families going through separation by providing a universal, no or low cost, less adversarial suite of services. This was great affirmation for the program. This messaging was reinforced by the Attorney-General at the breakfast.
The government has committed to a period of further consultation with the sector and other interested stakeholders whilst it considers and develops a response to the Review Report. FRSA is working with the Department to deliver a specific FRSA member network webinar, including the Australian Institute of Family Studies which was commissioned by the Department to develop the technical report. This will be held on Thursday, 3 October at 11am (AEST) for 90 minutes. Stay tuned for more details next week.
The Department will also be inviting written responses to the report as part of their consultation process with written submissions due to the Department by 30 October 2024. They will be sending details about that process out shortly.
On a different note, we did go out to FRSA Members earlier this week advising that the process for nominating for FRSA Board Director positions was open. If you are a FRSA member and have not seen or received this information – please do not hesitate to be in touch.
I am about to take a bit of a break over the next few weeks and wish to advise that Robyn Clough, FRSA’s Manager of Policy and Research will be Acting ED during my absence – policy@frsa.org.au or phone 02) 6162 1811. She will be acting from Thursday 26 September through until Friday 25 October 2024.
