The shared parenting law suggests only that children have a right to a “meaningful relationship” with both parents after divorce, and that equal time with both parents ought to be considered.

There have been cases where breast-feeding babies have been shuttled between parents at times set by the court, and of babies woken from naps for court-appointed contact with their other parent.

Several experts argue that such arrangements cannot be in the best interests of the child.

Violence against women takes centre stage, in part because the issue is important to many women in the Rudd cabinet. One of the authors of the report, Rae Kaspiew, was in September appointed by the Prime Minister to the new Violence against Women Advisory Group.

Read more…Change to child custody laws will make access harder for fathers – Your Family Network