Media statement
For immediate release
Monday, 12 March 2007

Judge's refusal to meet parents is irresponsible

Reports that Principal Family Court Judge Peter Boshier is refusing to even meet with fathers, is a needless slap in the face for these "key stakeholders", according to United Future family spokesperson, Judy Turner.

"I commend the Families Commission for providing an opportunity for these parents to discuss their concerns, and the Father's Coalition for agreeing to suspend protest action in return for a meeting with the Principal Family Court Judge," says Mrs Turner.

"It is very disappointing that Judge Boshier is refusing to even meet with these fathers to discuss the issues of concern including claims that they are often bullied and threatened with the withdrawal of access if they don't sign agreements.

"Fathers are key stakeholders in the family court system - as are their children who are repeatedly having their right to a caring relationship with their Dad eliminated by the pattern of family court rulings.

"If there had been a Ministry of Men's Affairs for the last 20 years in New Zealand, issues like this where men feel unfairly discriminated against would have been closely examined - but there has not been and this area has been largely neglected.

"United Future is currently looking at how a workable model of shared parenting could be considered, which presumes that children need significant contact with both their Mum and Dad unless proven otherwise on an individual basis," says Mrs Turner.

Answers to written question from Mrs Turner shows that day-to-day caring was shared between Mum and Dad in only 11% of cases in the year to July 2006, while granted to only one parent in more than 75% of cases. Mothers are six times more likely to gain day-to-day care than fathers.

"These figures indicate that the Family Court is not interpreting the legislation as was intended by parliament.

The Care of Children Act explicitly states that: 'It must not be assumed that placing the child in the day-to-day care of a particular person will, because of that person's sex, best serve the welfare and best interests of the child'.

'The child should have continuing relationships with both of his or her parents'.

"I think that father's groups have a legitimate concern and it is saddening to see that the Family Court will not even meet to talk with these parents," says Mrs Turner.

ENDS

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