Family Court judges with 'horrendous views on women' harming families, commissioner says

Australia's national domestic violence commissioner, Micaela Cronin, says some Family Court judges hold "horrendous views about women" and are unaccountable, harming women and children through their decisions. She identified court misuse as a top priority. Cronin's 2026 report to parliament describes the Family Court as "another source of harm," citing credible claims that lawyers advise women to omit abuse allegations to avoid being seen as manipulative. Victim-survivor advocates report children being removed from mothers who disclose abuse, with no oversight. The commissioner is prioritizing reducing record sexual assault rates and examining how the court handles children's wishes. Crossbench MPs are urging greater powers for Cronin's office, while the court says it has measures to address systems abuse.