Western Australian Consolidated Acts

FAMILY COURT ACT 1997 - SECT 66J

66J .         Court to take prompt action in relation to allegations of child abuse or family violence — FLA s. 60K

        (1)         This section applies if —

            (a)         an application is made to a court for a Part 5 Order in relation to a child; and

            (b)         a document is filed in the court, on or after the commencement of this section, in relation to the proceedings for the order; and

            (c)         the document alleges as a consideration that is relevant to whether the court should grant or refuse the application, that —

                  (i)         there has been abuse of the child by one of the parties to the proceedings; or

                  (ii)         there would be a risk of abuse of the child if there were to be a delay in applying for the order; or

                  (iii)         there has been family violence by one of the parties to the proceedings; or

                  (iv)         there is a risk of family violence by one of the parties to the proceedings;

                and

            (d)         the document is a document of the kind prescribed by the rules for the purposes of this paragraph.

        (2)         A court must —

            (a)         consider what interim or procedural orders (if any) should be made —

                  (i)         to enable appropriate evidence about the allegation to be obtained as expeditiously as possible; and

                  (ii)         to protect the child or any of the parties to the proceedings;

                and

            (b)         make such orders of that kind as the court considers appropriate; and

            (c)         deal with the issues raised by the allegation as expeditiously as possible.

        (3)         A court must take the action required by subsection (2)(a) and (b) —

            (a)         as soon as practicable after the document is filed; and

            (b)         if it is appropriate having regard to the circumstances of the case, within 8 weeks after the document is filed.

        (4)         Without limiting subsection (2)(a)(i), the court must consider whether orders should be made under section 202K to obtain reports from prescribed government agencies in relation to the allegations.

        (5)         Without limiting subsection (2)(a)(ii), the court must consider whether orders should be made, or an injunction granted, under section 235.

        (6)         A failure to comply with a provision of this section in relation to an application does not affect the validity of any order made in the proceedings in relation to the application.

        [Section 66J inserted by No. 35 of 2006 s. 83.]