Men's Health Australia Media Watch Report 2011

In November 2007, Greg Andresen was contracted by Men’s Health SA (MHSA – at that time the South Australian Men’s Health Alliance – SAMHA) to conduct a one-day-a-week Media Watch role on behalf of SAMHA and its collaborative partners, the Men’s Health Information & Resource Centre at the University of Western Sydney (MHIRC) and the Australasian Men’s Health Forum (AMHF). In July 2010, a fourth collaborative partner came on board to support the project – The Men’s Advisory Network (MAN) from Western Australia.

The Media Watch role involved the critique, analysis and, when appropriate, challenging of mass media statements and commentary and other forms of institutional, academic and government literature and media that:

• depicted men or boys or masculinity in an unfair, negative or disparaging way
• were misleading, inaccurate, or prejudicial towards men and boys
• detracted from a general positive affirmation of men, boys, and masculinity
• undermined the endeavour to approach men and boy’s health and issues in an intelligent, respectful, positive, equitable and constructive way.

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Domestic violence trends and issues in NSW (Inquiry)

This inquiry is a current Legislative Council inquiry conducted by the Social Issues Committee . The inquiry was established on 25 July 2011 to inquire into and report on domestic violence trends and issues in New South Wales. The terms of reference were referred by the Hon Pru Goward MP, Minister for Family and Community Services and Minister for Women. The Committee encourages public participation in the inquiry process. Submissions can be lodged by email, fax or post. The closing date for submissions is Friday 16 September 2011.

Kids to be denied their Fathers, because of ONE Man’s vote – Tony Windsor

Please read the following letter that was sent to Tony Windsor, Federal Member for New England, on the proposed 2011 child custody/family law changes currently before Parliament, designed to prevent most separated fathers from having contact with their children. The office of Tony Windsor has made it clear to me that they do not care to respond to the serious issues confronting separated fathers and children of separated families, despite being given ample opportunity to do so in response to this letter, and in previous discussions.

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Men's Health Australia eNews, 10 June 2011

In this edition:

• Men's Health Week, June 13 to 19, 2011
• Government deception won’t reduce violence
• Male Studies Symposium
• Australia's first National Pain Week
• Quick links to recent stories and resources of interest

Secretary SPCA comments on the Family Law Legislation Amendment Bill 2011

The Secretary of the Shard Parenting Council of Australia, Mr Wayne Butler has published a short assessment of the Family Law Legislation Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Bill 2011. It is very much in haste but he sees 4 key areas that need amendments. Areas that are of concern are:

• Repeal of s117AB relating to costs orders for false allegations
• The proposed amendments to s60CC (3) (c ) the benefit to the child having a meaningful relationship with both parents
• 4AB Definition of family violence and lastly
• Subsection 4(1)(c ) (definition of abuse) Essentially a, b and d should be supported as sensible amendments but part c is more problematic.