George Brandis (Queensland, Liberal Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Hansard source

Yes, I can. As I mentioned in my answer to your primary question, that is one of the measures. Let me expand a little further on it. As those who follow this issue know—and I know, Senator Hume, you are one who has taken a constructive and intelligent interest in this issue—it has been a matter of concern, particularly to practitioners in the field, for a long time now that a woman who is traumatised by family violence might face the additional challenge, shall we say, of being cross-examined in family law proceedings by the alleged perpetrator of that family violence if that person is not represented by a legal practitioner. So we propose to prohibit that and arrange for a system whereby the court can appoint a person to conduct that cross-examination. That announcement was welcomed this morning by Women's Legal Services Australia, in a press release which congratulated the government on the initiative. (Time expired)