The National Mini Conference held on the Gold Coast on the 27th 28th, February &1st March was very successful with some of our branch presidents and some branch committee members attending. Unfortunately some who had declared they were attending did not turn up, and as they were booked in LFAA had to cop up with paying for their rooms and meals. This did not dampen nor stop the conference being a tremendous success, and all that attended stated that it was great and they had a good time both at the conference and at the night time BBQS where they mixed and chatted with others from different State branches.
Senator for Queensland Joe Ludwig, who is also Minister for Human Services, and CSA Minister attended with his senior advisor Brendan Long the Senator opened the Conference on Saturday morning the 28th February, and spent time talking to the conference delegates and answering questions put to him. We are very grateful to the Senator and to Brendan, both have a very busy schedule but gave up their Saturday morning to support us.
Matt Miller manager of the Child Support Agency Australia and two of his CSA Officers Sheree and Debra also attended and gave their time to the conference explaining the new Child Support amendments the legislation and answering the questions from the delegates and others that attended. Matt had also given up his day for us by flying from Canberra to lend his and the CSA support, also Sheree and Debra gave up their day, we are very appreciate and thankful to them, their workshop which they presented was so well received by all it went for an hour more than what was proposed, and both Sheree and Debra where excellent in answering questions.
On Sunday 1st March John Claude Boulenaz Suicide Prevention Counsellor of United Synergies Queensland gave a 5 hour training course on prevention of suicide. This was very important to the branch presidents and committee members who are dealing with threats of suicide through their branches. John also was well received and no doubt he really knows what he is talking about we thank both John and United Synergies.
The rooms, & meals at the Tallebugera Sports & Recreational Complex Gold Coast where the conference and accommodation was held was really great as were the staff who were so helpful.
The Conference also worked on our new submission on access enforcement orders relating to denial of access of the children to the other parent and to the grandparents. We were able to get a lot of discussion and points on this topic from all delegates and we are now adding those to the rest of the submission, as it is an area that effects most non resident parents, and is a failure of all governments and courts, to acknowledge the serious and devastating circumstances it causes. This is the area in family law that causes the most suicides, of men, and it also is a direct discrimination to the rights of the child, which this country preaches so openly to uphold, well they don't in this area.
I intend to place on our internet site a special link asking relatives of the poor souls who turned to suicide over their right to see their children not being up held by our systems, to allow me to put a list together and present it to the Australian Parliament to the United Nations, and the International Human Rights.
The States in Australia cover up the real statistics of these suicides, because they are embarrassed to reveal them to the public.
In the last two weeks I had dealt with two really bad cases of attempted suicide in Canberra. Both men have court contact orders but they have been denied, one has not been able to see his children for 4 years, the other just over 12 months. The total cost added for both has cost $101, 000 in legal expenses, and the other side continuously gets legal aid, its so wrong. I spent a total 7.5 hours in the early hours of the mornings with both these men, and I am still in contact with them twice a day.
