NSW: Researcher says repeal unilateral divorce

AAP General News (Australia)
12-05-2003
NSW: Researcher says repeal unilateral divorce

A researcher says the so-called No-fault divorce should be allowed only by mutual consent.

BARRY MALEY, in his new book "Divorce Law and the Future of Marriage", says if partners
disagree, they should be given a chance to prove serious misconduct in court.

He says that the No-fault law is a major cause of marital instability in Australia.

Mr MALEY, a researcher for The Centre for Independent Studies, says desertion, adultery
and cruelty, could be raised as issues that would affect the divorce settlement.

Mr MALEY says four out of five divorce applications are made by one spouse, so the
other cannot bargain from a position of equal power.

However, the Women's Electoral Lobby has condemned the book, with a spokeswoman saying
calling the centre Mr MALEY works for, a right wing think tank.

National spokeswoman SARAH MADDISON says Mr MALEY continues to try to make divorce
hard for couples and should investigate the real causes of divorce.

AAP RTV mk/wz/psm/rt

KEYWORD: DIVORCE (SYDNEY)

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