Attorney General: Citizens Cannot Use Family Court for Religious Divorce

January 19, 2004

Source: The Australian

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,8429520% 5E1702,00.html

On January 19, 2004 The Australian reported, "Orthodox Jews and Muslims who divorce will not be able to use the Family Court to obtain a religious divorce, Attorney-General Phillip Ruddock said. Mr. Ruddock told The Australian that he would not pursue a Family Court recommendation allowing a court to withhold civil divorce proceedings until a spouse granted their partner a religious divorce. A religious divorce is considered in some religions a necessity before a couple can remarry or legally separate...Mr. Ruddock said it was inappropriate to use the Family Court to pressure one partner for a religious divorce because it would threaten Australia's no-fault system."