V4 New Celebrant Appointment Criteria, Grandparent resources
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| Changes to Marriage Celebrant Appointment Training Requirements |
On 23rd March 2009, the Attorney General announced that "Later this year the new Certificate IV in Celebrancy will become available to people wishing to become registered as marriage celebrants" Reference
Please note: this training qualification is NOT the same as the Certificate IV in Marriage Celebrancy. The new qualification has different compulsory core units and compulsory Marriage units for those seeking marriage celebrants appointments |
| ACCN submission to the Human Rights Consultation |
The ACCN is preparing a submission for this consultation. A draft is available for comment in this month's Articles titled The new civil celebrant?
It is believed that this proposal could form the basis for a Review of the Marriage Celebrant Program and an enhanced role for Civil Celebrants in the future. |
| Human Rights Consultation |
Submissions to this Human Rights Consultation, established by the AG, are currently being called for.
Deadline 15th June 2009. To make a submission Click here |
| New Resources to Assist Grandparents |
Attorney-General Robert McClelland today announced that the Rudd Government will provide increased resources through the family law system to help grandparents maintain positive relationships with their grandchildren.
The initiatives being undertaken by the Government include:
· Commissioning the Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFS) to examine the impact of the 2006 family law reforms on grandparents;
· Producing information brochures, booklets and DVDs on the importance of children maintaining strong relationships with significant people in their lives, including grandparents;
· Developing and issuing guidelines to be used by Family Relationship Centres when dealing with cases involving grandparents; and
· Exploring how the Parenting Orders, Post Separation Cooperative Parenting and Supporting Children After Separation programs can better include discussions about the importance of grandparents and other extended family members.
This work complements the $400,000 provided by the Rudd Government to Legal Aid Commissions last year to enhance the delivery of family dispute resolution services to grandparents and other extended family members.
“The Government is committed to investing in the relationship between a child and their grandparents.”
“It is a relationship that can provide children with love, support and additional care, particularly during times of family relationship difficulties,” he said.
“I am confident that these materials will lead to better outcomes for families including grandparents and, most importantly, their grandchildren,” Mr McClelland said.
Media Contact: Adam Sims 0419 480 224
Media release: 18/1/2009 |
| For more on the above news items Click here |
| Media Release : 22/4/2009
JENNY MACKLIN MP
Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services
and Indigenous Affairs
ROBERT MCCLELLAND MP
Attorney-General
$100 MILLION FOR FAMILY RELATIONSHIP SERVICES
Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, and Attorney-General, Robert McClelland, today announced the Government would invest more than $100 million over the next two years to assist families deal with relationship difficulties.
The funding will support a range of measures such as early intervention services including counselling, skills training, mediation, as well as post-separation services including family and couples’ counselling, specialised family violence services, dispute mediation and parenting support.
These services will be delivered through 60 Early Intervention Services, 40 Family Relationship Centres and 30 Post Separation Services.
“Families can often face complex and difficult relationship issues and it is important that family services are available to support them before problems escalate,” Ms Macklin said.
“This funding is part of the Australian Government’s commitment to assisting families by providing access to a range of appropriate services which best meet their different needs.”
There has been a significant increase in families using family relationship services in the nine months from July last year to April this year with more than 212,000 people attending a provider. This compares with the 12 months to June 2008 where service providers saw 234,000 people seeking help.
Based on these early figures, the Australian Government is projecting a 29 per cent increase in attendance at family relationship services this year compared to last year.
The number of people seeking support for post separation parenting and relationship difficulties has risen substantially.
Mr McClelland said, “I am pleased these new funding agreements will enable family services to continue their critical role in reducing family conflict and providing affordable, effective and fair dispute resolution.”
“These services provide parents with the ongoing support and assistance that can prevent family breakdown. If separation does occur, they can minimise the negative impact on children,” Mr McClelland said.
New funding agreements for family relationship services will introduce increased flexibility to ensure services are tailored and more responsive to the individual needs of families and children.
Contact: Jessica Walker (Macklin) 0430 166 633
Adam Siddique (McClelland) 0407 473 630
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| For information on other items Click here |
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The more celebrants work together to promote a range of ceremonies to our communities,
and the more we can support each other, then we will create a better life for everyone.
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