Fault, gender politics and family law reform

Journal article

Swain, Shurlee L. and Thornton, Danielle. (2011). Fault, gender politics and family law reform. Australian Journal of Politics and History. 57(2), pp. 207 - 220. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8497.2011.01592.x
AuthorsSwain, Shurlee L. and Thornton, Danielle
Abstract

Recent public debates about family law reform have revealed both support for and criticism of legislative policies that seek to shape social norms. Amidst this debate was a suggestion from some quarters that the Whitlam Government's removal of fault‐based divorce is responsible for the gendered tensions that characterise modern reform debates. This article draws on archival records and interviews conducted with family law professionals who worked in the system in the 1970s and experienced the transition to the no‐fault system, to explore the principles underlying the introduction of the Family Law Act of 1975 and to identify the sources of continuing dissension about its impact.

Year2011
JournalAustralian Journal of Politics and History
Journal citation57 (2), pp. 207 - 220
PublisherWiley-Blackwell Publishing Asia
ISSN0004-9522
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-8497.2011.01592.x
Page range207 - 220
Research GroupSchool of Education
Publisher's version
File Access Level
Controlled
Place of publicationAustralia
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