In Australia, there is a grave problem of sustenance of relationships, with 40% of the marriages ending into divorce. The family law system adds more to the trouble of sufferers, especially the children of the parting couple.

In 2006, shared parenting was initiated by Howard Government, which now has been given the name of the Family Law Act. The law has a direct bearing upon the children of the couple, that file their divorce; leaving their children as an object, receiving the care of mother and father separately, alternatively after every few weeks or months.

As per the reports presented by the Australian Institute of Family Studies and the Chisholm Inquiry and commissioned by the federal Attorney-General's Department, shared parenting is not at all a good option for the children in Australia. It revealed that mothers are being forced to share the care of their children with the fathers, on the grounds of the law, and the law often doesn’t address other related issues such as parental conflict, mental issues and domestic violence.

In July, three more reports came up in this context. On report, presented by Dr. Jennifer McIntosh, clinical child psychologist and colleagues concluded that shared caring leaves a negative effect on the children, who are below the age of four. Another report ridiculed the way the family law system tackles the victims of family violence. The third report from the Social Policy Research Centre at the University of New South Wales also showcased similar results that were in accordance with the other two reports.

During the election propaganda, the Labor Government signaled that it was thinking upon the recent reports, but was firm to make improvements in the family law system.