It seems the driving force behind this new inquiry is Pauline Hanson’s unsupported claim women often make up allegations of domestic violence in family courts.
Many of the studies on this question examine the outcomes for children in same-sex parented families where both parents are women.
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Discussing his opposition to same-sex marriage, Liberal MP Kevin Andrews said children who are brought up with a mother and father are ‘better off than those who are not’. Let’s look at the research.
The government is making frantic efforts to seal a deal on its school plan before parliament adjourns for the winter break.
Rob Blakers/AAP
Simon Birmingham met Catholic education representatives on Monday night, receiving such a haranguing that at times it was difficult for him to get a word in.
While Malcolm Turnbull still has a substantial lead over Bill Shorten as better prime minister, the gap has narrowed markedly.
Mick Tsikas/AAP
The federal government has fallen behind Labor in Newspoll for the first time under Malcolm Turnbull, with Labor now leading 51-49% on a two-party basis.
The Heritage Foundation has had a profound effect on defence spending and military action in the US.
Reuters/Jason Reed
Even many Americans don’t know much about organisations like the Alliance Defending Freedom and the Heritage Foundation. But these groups play a critical role in advancing conservative policies.
Former minister Peter Garrett retracted claims about receiving cash in an envelope from a representative of a gambling industry lobby group.
AAP/Marianna Massey
Two losers in Malcolm Turnbull’s reshuffle have pre-empted the prime minister’s unveiling of his ministry by announcing their demise.
While Tony Abbott came slowly to embrace the refugee boost, he has been raring to go on the other leg of this week’s announcement – the extension of Australian air strikes to Syria.
Sam Mooy/AAP
It appeared to be the announcement Australian industry had been waiting for. Finally, political pressure on prime minister Tony Abbott’s leadership had forced a “fair go” for Australian shipbuilding. On…
Defence’s year in 2015 will be defined primarily by its response to the forthcoming white paper.
AAP/Hugh Peterswald
Australia has decisively responded to the strategic uncertainty of contemporary East Asia by forming committees and undertaking reviews. 2015 brings with it Australia’s third defence white paper in six…
Howard-era Human Rights Commissioner Sev Ozdowski is the new chairman of the revamped Australian Multicultural Council.
AAP/Matthias Engesser
Late in December, I took a phone call from a young woman working for the Department of Social Services. She had called, she said, because the department was checking its database of contacts, so that the…
In the seven years since the Northern Territory Intervention, a large body of evidence has been built up showing few if any benefits from compulsory - as distinct from voluntary - income management.
AAP/Terry Trewin
The mess of federal budget negotiations has taken over the limited space for social policy debates. However, we are due to get final reports on a range of inquiries. These include the McClure report on…
Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews believes couples counselling will ultimately save Australia money.
Lukas Coch/AAP
Social services minister Kevin Andrews claims his A$20 million Stronger Relationships Trial will save the government money in the long run by reducing family breakdown. But will it work? The trial, which…
Howard government minister Mal Brough first proposed part-quarantining welfare payments in the lead-up to the Northern Territory intervention. Now it could become a mainstream welfare policy.
AAP/Tracey Nearmy
One of the bizarre bipartisan policy overlaps between the Coalition and Labor is in the area of income support known as welfare payments. Labor has been seen as the party that cared about the poor and…
If Kevin Andrews was serious about sustainable welfare spending, his review would not have excluded the biggest, fastest-growing and most poorly targeted areas of expenditure.
AAP/Lukas Coch
Social services minister Kevin Andrews says a concern that the system is unsustainable is driving his review of welfare. It’s true that Australia has a budget sustainability problem. It’s not true that…
Moving some sole parents onto the lower Newstart payments has pushed up the numbers.
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Social services minister Kevin Andrews has targeted the Disability Support Pension and Newstart, the main payment for the unemployed, for reform, branding the current level of welfare as unsustainable…
Single parents’ protests last year at being transferred to Newstart were ignored, and the evidence suggests the move made it harder to get suitable work to support their families.
AAP/Paul Miller
The major missing factor in debates on cutting welfare spending – as has been flagged by social services minister Kevin Andrews – is the limited and falling demand for labour. Labour market figures give…