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The National
Missing Persons Unit (NMPU), at the
Australian Bureau of Criminal Intelligence in Canberra, represents the
partnership with police, non-government tracing organisations, community
agencies, the business community and families and friends of missing people.
Through this partnership the NMPU co-ordinates and promotes a national integrated
approach to reduce the incidence and impact of missing persons in Australia.
The NMPU brings together two national committees:
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The Police Consultative Group on Missing Persons involves Officers in Charge
of the jurisdictional police Missing Persons Units and works to improve police
response to reported missing persons.
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The National Advisory Committee on Missing Persons includes representatives
from police, the Salvation Army, The Australian Red Cross, International Social
Service, Kids Help Line, the Victorian and NSW Missing Persons Committees.
The NMPU has three main objectives:
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to assist police and non-government tracing organisations in locating missing
persons
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to facilitate a coordinated approach to addressing the social and economic impacts
of missing persons
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to develop effective preventative action.
The Family Court of Australia is
a specialist Federal Superior Court of Record, which has jurisdiction throughout
Australia except for Western Australia. The Family Court has been operating
since 5 January 1976 following the enactment of the Family Law Act 1975. The
Court has jurisdiction over all matrimonial causes and associated responsibilities.
This includes, divorce proceedings, children's matters such as residence, contact
and special issues orders and the provision of mediation services.
The Court's objective is to resolve and determine family disputes. In doing
this it seeks to:
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put children and families first in the design and delivery of services
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provide cost-effective dispute resolution for families
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be at the forefront of the development of innovative services for families in
conflict
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promote functional family relationships after separation
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have an independent and impartial judicial process"
Australia is a signatory to the Convention on the Civil Aspects of International
Abduction, and the Convention came into force in January 1987. Although not
directly incorporated into Australian law, Regulations (to which the Convention
appears as a schedule) provide a legislative structure for its application.
Australia is committed to the principles and philosophy of the Convention and
is an active Contracting State. It has Central Authorities at both the Commonwealth
and State/Territory levels.
The Federal Magistrates Service (FMS) is
an independent federal court of record that shares concurrent jurisdiction with
the Family Court and the Federal Court. The FMS, also known as the Federal Magistrates
Court, was established in 1999 to provide a cheaper, simpler and faster method
of dealing with less complex Family Court and Federal Court matters.
The FMS hears many matters that can also be heard in the Family Court, including
divorce and children's matters such as residence and contact. The court also
provides mediation services. |
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