A controversial parliamentary inquiry into the family court system, backed by One Nation leader Pauline Hanson, will proceed despite fierce opposition from anti-domestic violence campaigners and Labor and the Greens. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has stated the inquiry will not 'take sides', but women's groups fear it will become a platform for men's rights activists who allege systemic bias against fathers.
Hanson, who will co-chair the review, sparked outrage by claiming some women fabricate domestic violence allegations in custody battles. 'There are people out there who are nothing but liars and will use that in the court system,' she told the ABC, citing personal experience and submissions from others as evidence. The assertion is a key grievance among men's rights groups but has been widely discredited by multiple studies.
Researcher Jess Hill, author of a book on domestic abuse, referenced a Canadian study showing non-custodial parents—usually fathers—made false complaints most frequently (43%), followed by neighbours and relatives (19%), and mothers (14%). Despite this, Hanson insisted she was not taking sides, emphasising children's need for access to both parents and urging people to 'get over the hate' of a breakup.
Prominent campaigner Rosie Batty condemned the inquiry as 'completely unacceptable', noting that multiple past inquiries, including a Law Reform Commission review with 60 recommendations, have yet to be implemented. 'Pauline Hanson’s obvious agenda makes her unsuitable to chair this review,' Batty said, calling on Labor, the Greens, and the PM to block it.
Labor's shadow minister for women Julie Collins demanded the government condemn Hanson's remarks, calling them 'deeply disrespectful' to survivors. Greens senator Rachel Siewert vowed to oppose the 'toxic' inquiry, labelling it a political 'stitch-up' between One Nation and the Coalition, and warning it prioritises men's rights over children's best interests.
