Conference Program 2023

Pacifica Congress

Conference Program 2023 at the Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart, Tasmania

‘Across the Pacific: Family Matters

take whanau 家庭事务hal

keluarga !”#ப வ&ஷய)க+’

Our program features celebrated speakers and cutting-edge topics. The Conference will be held on the 31 Aug to 2 Sept 2023  the Grand Hotel Chancellor, Hobart. A conference program booklet will be provided to attendees upon registration.

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Conference Program 2023

ANNUAL PACIFICA CONGRESS CONFERENCE 2023 - Hotel Grand Chancellor Hobart
Across the Pacific ~ Family Matters
THURSDAY, 31 AUGUST 2023
time tbcRegistration
9.00am-5.00pmPreconference Workshop Full Day
Preconference Workshop Full Day
Preconference Workshop Family Report Writer Training Full Day
Preconference Workshop Family Report Writer TrainingPreconference Workshop Family Report Writer Training
Room: Full dayRoom: Half Day 1:30 am - 5:00 pmRoom: Half Day 9:00 am - 12:30 pmRoom: Half Day 1:30 -5pmRoom: Half Day 9:00 -12.30pm
Professors Marilyn Freeman, University of Westminster London and Nicola Taylor, University of Otago New Zealand and Dr Astrid Martalas, South Africa and Dr Mia Dambach,
Ms Susan Warda, Partner Mills Oakley Sydney and Ms Bernie Bolger The Mediation Collective
Dr Phil Stahl, Parenting After Divorce, San Diego and Dr Phil Watts, Mindstate Psychology Perth
Dr Kaylene Evers, Psychologist Melbourne
Dr Simon Kennedy, Clinical & Forensic Psychologist Psychology Camberwell, Melbourne
Identity Issues Impacting Children and Young PeopleCollaborative LawSupercharged Testimony – How to give authoritative and useful expert evidencePractical Issues for Family Report WritersMaking Recommendations in Family Reports
This Institute focuses on identity issues impacting children and young people as these are emerging as important considerations within the family justice field. Article 8 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) 1989 requires States Parties to respect the right of the child to preserve his or her identity. This, however, seems to be a right which is hiding in plain sight, more easily recognised by law than by policy and practice. The Institute considers the psychological perspective of identity, what it means, and why it matters. We’ll consider a child’s established sense of self in the context of significant life events that affect children’s identity. Relocation disputes between parents and international child abduction will be addressed as examples of the areas of law and practice in which the issue of children’s identity may arise and have significant effect. Interactive exercises will then enable participants, working together in groups, to consider a range of diverse situations within the family justice field for their impact on a child’s identity (e.g., child protection / violence, surrogacy, adoption, gender dysphoria, forced marriage etc). The final session will include time for group discussion and consideration of identity issues in relation to participants’ own fields of practice.
The two Phil’s have been giving evidence in court, and teaching practitioners how to give expert evidence, for total of about 75 years. Dr Stahl has honed his skills through a fairly litigious US court system, while Dr Watts is familiar with the dynamics and foibles of the local system. Together they present a dynamic duo of knowledge. This half-day workshop is about how to give expert evidence in the witness box and will help you polish up your ability to enable you to shine as a top tier expert. Watts and Stahl will give multiple tips on style and substance as well as things to avoid. While a good report is essential for expert evidence, your demeanour and style in court will contribute greatly to the weight and value that report has on the case.
This session on practical considerations for family report writers in private practice will examine considerations in the decision to become a family report writer in private practice. Aimed at practitioners who want to become a family report writer in private practice, such as those who have some family report writing experience within the court system or experienced psychologist or social worker who are looking to engage in the work of family report writing. New graduates who want information exploring this career pathway are also welcome.
An established skill set within your professional discipline is assumed and the workshop will focus on some of the issues that, as a private report writer, you should now consider.
The workshop will move from pragmatic considerations of office location and set up, layout , equipment and the use of psychometric tools, to the process of engagement with parties, reviewing material supplied prior to meeting, and managing safety concerns and the comfort of parties and children to the consideration of the practitioner’s role in the process and the final production of the report.
A list of suggested readings will be provided.
Among the most complex aspects of producing family reports in family law proceedings is the decision-making in producing recommendations regarding time and care arrangements for children.
In other areas of forensic psychology, structural professional judgement approaches have been utilised to assist in evaluation of risk, and ultimately go to decision-making in a particular case.
Structural professional judgement utilises an approach where individual and/or contextual factors related to the specific issue, such as parenting risk, are evaluated through a combination of the factors.
Routinely, the factors may be seen as more or less important in a particular matter, and therefore are weighted accordingly.
Family reports involve assessing family and individual functioning, and then subsequently coming to conclusions regarding both the individuals and the family as a whole.
Cases differ however, with respect to the factors that are central to decision-making regarding care and time for children.
In this workshop, the factors that are routinely seen as central in the decision-making in family reports are identified, and are presented as a matrix.
In addition, a methodology to assist the decision-making process for family report writers is proposed.
The workshop will be in two parts, in part one, the central family factors are identified, and the decision-making methodology explained, and in part two, practical examples provided, with attendees utilising the approach to assist in decision-making on those family examples.
Social Drinks and networking - from 5 PM
FRIDAY, 1 September 2023
timeRegistration
8.45am-9.30amWelcome and Conference Opening
Her Excellency The Honourable Barbara Baker AC Governor of Tasmania
The Honourable Steven Strickland and a word from our Platinum Sponsor, Family Law International Alliance - Gloria James-Civetta & Co and Sayer Jones.
9.30am-10.30amSponsored by Barry Nilsson Lawyers Plenary 1 - Dr Guillermo Merelo -Diversity and Unconscious Bias

Chair The Honourable Steven Strickland
This presentation is a great opportunity to unpack the three key concepts of DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion). The content touches on the origin of such concepts, their theoretical and practical evolution, their social and business cases, and, more importantly, how practitioners can strategically implement DEI.
10.30am-11.00amMorning Tea
11.00am-12.30am
Sponsored by Nicholes Family Law Plenary 2 The Fort WHAT DOES A MOTHER DO WHEN SHE DOESN’T WANT HER SON TO BECOME HIS FATHER?
Where do you go... who do you turn to... when home is where the harm is?

Set in 1990s regional Victoria, The Fort tells the story of one woman’s battle to escape her abusive marriage while attempting to shelter her son from the grim realities of family violence.

Kitty is a stay-at-home mum married to Graham whose suppression of a traumatic childhood sees him choosing to repeat abusive patterns of behaviour he and his mother experienced from his own father. Becoming increasingly aware of the dangers of her situation, Kitty begins to fear the impact her volatile marriage is having on 10-year- old Tom, and the long-term effects her turbulent home life might have on her son.

Kitty builds Tom a fort in his bedroom; a safe space where they can retreat when the hostilities they face at home become overwhelming. The Fort transports Tom and Kitty to a series of fantasy worlds, that give Kitty a taste of freedom, from the fear and control that dominates her home life, fortifying her to plan their escape.

Chair Justice Ciara Tyson        
Presenters include: Ms Shaynna Blaze; Co-Founder, Director, Chairperson, Voice of Change

Dr Robert A. Simon, Ph.D., Forensic Psychology Consulting

Ms Jade Blakkarly; CEO, WIRE
12.30pm-1.30pmLunch OFW Presentation sponsored by Our Family Wizard
1.30-3.00pmWorkshop 1
Workshop 2Workshop 3
Workshop 4
Room: Chair: Ms Perpetua Kish


Room: Chair: Mr Darren MortRoom: Chair: Ms Elizabeth Picker

Room: Chair: Ms Debra Parker
Dr Charlie Azzopardi, Systemic Psychotherapist - Couple & Family Therapist, MaltaDr Phil Watts, Mindsate Psychology Perth and Ms Rachel Oakeley, Barrister PerthDr Sarah Calvert,Clinical Psychologist, AucklandDr Guillermo Merelo, Diversity Works, New Zealand
Very Early detection, Risk Assessment & Management of Parental Alienation
A Voice But Not A Choice
How psychological science can inform thinking about what participants, lawyers and judges need to know to make the best decisions for children.
Unconcious Bias
Children are referred to the Institute of Family Therapy-Malta from various settings, most
already carrying a diagnosis of one or more disorders, the most common of which include
ADHD, ADD, ODD, deliberate self harm, or suicide contemplation. Our work has revealed
that most of these children concurrently experience marital/parental discord and fearfully
anticipate marital separation. Other children witness high conflict parental relationships,
marital separation and foster care. Occasionally a child vehemently and aggressively refuses
to see a previously loved parent. This is typically visible during high conflict legal separation
processes or in foster care situations. Much attention recently focused on crisis management
and reunification programs, assessment tools, and legal interventions. Research on the very
early signs of Parental Alienation (PA) is non-existent. Both clinical experience and literature
have taught us that the process of marital separation starts much earlier than the actual legal
filing of the request (Dominion 1979, Gottman, 2000), and in a much calmer space. Most of
the children’s behavioural problems encountered at family therapy clinics are often systemic
metaphorical homeostatic (Minuchin, 1981) self-protective representations of the children's
worries about their family’s anticipated doom. Such behaviours can potentially be alienation
from impending parental alienation. Early detection of these signs can help identify and
predict risk of PA. The development of a Risk Assessment tool is now inevitably needed to
guide front line professionals to intervene timely to prevent Parental Alienation in which the bestinterest of the child remains a priority.
Australian Family law requires that the wishes of children are taken into account when considering their best interests. There is a conundrum in that mature minors are involved and live through the complex court process but receive very little, if any, direct communication from the Court. Limiting their involvement is designed to limit harm. However, not talking to them can also be harmful.

This presentation brings together an experienced forensic psychologist Dr Phil Watts and experienced barrister Rachel Oakeley to look at some of the clever and creative ways the Legal system has sought to lower harm by informing teens of the court outcomes. Four unique redacted cases will be discussed from both a legal and psychological point of view. These discussions will lead to an overall discussion of the questions of whether children should be involved in the court process or not, given they are living it. How can we better explain that they have a voice, but ultimately, not a choice.
Complex Cases which come before Family Courts around the world need the best possible information about all those involved, adults and children. In most Family Court matters it is the vast knowledge base of the social sciences and especially psychology that is best going to aide in high quality decisions making and successful outcomes. This presentation will look at how current and up to date psychological science and its knowledge base can inform and support both the participants and decision making in the more complex cases that come to Courts (High Conflict, Resist Refuse, Hague etc).For practitioners it encourages a review of how up to date your engagement with your science is and for lawyers and judges (and indeed parties) it will give you a sense of what you should be seeing in the reports coming before you.
This workshop introduces participants to unconscious bias, its implications for rational decision-making, the neuroscience behind it and the effects it plays on daily interactions with people from many diverse backgrounds. Through some powerful storytelling, participants are expected to learn, reflect and challenge traditional notions of self-awareness.
3.00pm-3.30pmAfternoon Tea
3.30pm-5.00pmWorkshop 5
Workshop 6
Workshop 7
Workshop 8
Room: Chair: Ms Amanda Graham Monash UniversityRoom: Chair: Dr Stella LaletasRoom: Mr David Edney
Room: Chair: Ms Susan Warda, Mills Oakley
Ms Zoë Lawton, Lawyer and teaching fellow University of Auckland School of Law, New Zealand
Mr Kieran Pender, Writer, lawyer and academic Australian National University College of Law, Canberra
Dr Amylie Paquin, Switzerland
Ms Suzie Delbridge, Delbridge Forensic Accounting, Newcastle, Ms Olivia Grobtuch, Kennedy Partners, Melbourne, and Dr Rachel Carson, Australian Institute of Family Studies, Melbourne
Dr Alison O'Neill, Sydney Collective Psychology, Sydney and Dr Phil Stahl, Parenting After Divorce, San Diego
Legal EthicsThe Longitudinal Study of Separated Parents and StepfamiliesThe family implications of property disputesParenting Plan Evaluations: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
This interactive workshop will explore contemporary ethical issues facing the legal profession and encourage through-provoking discussion. We will begin by examining the perception of lawyers both by the public and the profession itself, questioning whether lawyers are viewed as ethical and how we can measure ethical behaviour. The workshop will then explore some complex ethical challenges, including the impact of the #metoo movement on workplace sexual harassment in the legal profession and developments on protections for public interest whistle-blowers, including lawyers. Finally, the workshop will feature a hands-on hackathon that will allow participants to test and explore the use of ChatGPT, highlighting the potential benefits and limitations of this rapidly advancing technology.
The Longitudinal Study of Separated Parents and Stepfamilies in Quebec is a large population-based study dealing specifically with issues of parental separation with a representative sample of mothers and fathers (1551 parents, mothers = 761; fathers = 790, separated for about 2 years, completed 3 online questionnaires with 24-month intervals). The study was designed to capture the complexity of the issues and impacts of family separation, the evolving nature of family transitions. and more specifically the individual, family, and social factors associated with the development of a conflictual co-parenting relationship after separation. Most studies on parental separation generally collect data from the mother. The reality of father is thus often little studied, but our study helps to fill this gap. The elements that distinguish fathers from mothers in their experience of conflictual separation will then be developed. The presentation will allow for a better understanding of the trajectory of separated families and will contribute to the development of targeted practices based on individual parent characteristics.
Despite more than 40 years of workshops and trainings, Guidelines, and journal articles related to Parenting Plan Evaluations (PPE), many Family Report Writers still have considerable challenges understanding this challenging work. In this workshop, the presenters, who have more than 50 years of combined experience with these cases, will identify the mindset and the skills needed to assess and write a high-quality reports. The presenters will also provide examples of defective work, biased evaluations, and fatal flaws to help participants use the new AFCC Guidelines and research to understand ways to improve the quality and consistency of their work.
For Family Report Writers, this workshop will teach critical skills to help learn what makes a good assessment and how to avoid bad or ugly evaluations. For lawyers, this workshop is designed to teach them how to critique a report. For judges, this workshop will help give guidance on the weight to give to a report, or elements of the assessment or even when to throw out a report as being inadequate, when making decisions in complex family court matters.
Ms Anthea D’Emden and Ms Kristen Wylie Tasmania Legal Aid
Client centric legal services – where clients are heard and feel heard
Tasmania legal Aid (TLA) places the voices of our clients at the centre of everything we do, and they are integral to the design and evaluation of our services and policy development. Collaboration and consultation with our clients, staff and partners are at the foundation of our service design and delivery. This session profiles two examples of TLA’s client-centric approach.
The first example is a set of practice standards and guidelines (PSG) for Independent Children’s Lawyers, which are a first in Australia. These PSG respond to the voice of the child including how they want to participate in proceedings about them, as well as what they need from their lawyer. The PSG provide trauma informed, practical and meaningful tips for ICL engagement with children, considering their diverse needs, lived experiences and developmental stages.
The second example focuses on a recent review of TLA’s Family Dispute Resolution (FDR) program. Client feedback and consultation highlighted that some aspects of the service required improvement to strengthen responses to participants experiencing family violence. Client engagement was essential in understanding the client’s experience at all stages of the FDR process, and in shaping new processes for an FDR service that is client-focused, safe and responsive to family violence.
5.00pm-6.30pmSocial drinks
SATURDAY, 2 September 2023
time tbcRegistration
7.00am-9.00amPacifica Congress Board meeting Room TBA
9.00am-10.30am
Chair The Honourable Steven Strickland KC Plenary 3 Family Law Reform Again? Can we get it right this time? Presenters Professor Richard Chisholm, Mr Geoff Sinclair, Barry Nilsson, Dr Rae Kaspiew Australian Institute of Family Studies and Mary Anne Ryan, Barrister, Tasmania

Chair: TBA
10.30am-11.00amMorning Tea
11.00amMr Darren Mort Introducing Isla's Song
Isla's Song, set in the heady folk music days of the 60s, is a story of choices, betrayal, love, stardom, eternal hopes and a child's love. From one act of kidnapping, a little girl reveals to us how the gift of music and a commitment to manifest can really make dreams come true.
11.05am-12.30pm
Plenary 4 Children, adolescents and gender dysphoria: Challenges in an adversarial system Ms Belle Lane, barrister, Mr John Blythe, clinical psychologist, Dr Alison Clayton, psychiatrist
Chair: Ms Kirstie Colls
12:30pm-1.30pmLunch
1.30pm-3.00pmWorkshop 9
Workshop 10
Workshop 11
Workshop 12
Room: Chair: Ms Stephanie Reid
Room: Chair: Ms Melanie Rubin, Rubin Blight Hardy Family Lawyers Sydney
Room: Chair The Honourable Steven Strickland KCRoom: Chair:TBA
Dr Rae Kaspiew Australian Institute of Family Studies, Melbourne
Sponsored by Resolve Conflict Ms Nadine Udorovic from Nicholes Family Lawyers and Ms Catherine Gale, Ms Alyson Gale from Resolve Conflict Family Lawyers.
Professor Lawrence Moloney, Professor Daryl Higgins, Australian Catholic University
Ms Olia Pelayo, Children in Focus Sydney
Court Orders! What now! Parenting Orders researchOur Family in Two Homes (“OFITHS”)
The intersection of child protection and family law
Behind the scene of Supervised Contact Service and how we make the visit safe and fun for parents and children
Ms Amanda Graham Senior Lecturer Faculty of Law at Monash University, Ms Cassandra Pullos and Dr Anne Purcell Parenting Coordination Australia
To a child of separated parents, their family unit often literally moves from one to two homes. If there is dysregulation, conflict and lack of continuity in parenting across both houses, this can make the adjustment for children from one house to two, all the more difficult. Resolve Conflict Family Lawyers and Nicholes Family Lawyers will present on ‘Our Family in Two Homes’ and include a panel discussion and some role play to demonstrate how this new and innovative dispute resolution process works. OFITHS gives parties the opportunity to jointly invest their time and resources in the future of their family, instead of engaging in litigation which can deplete parties both financially and emotionally and can ultimately place further strain on co-parenting relationships. The OFITH model can assist clients to reach respectful and durable solutions they can live with.
Supervised Contact Services play an important role during family separation. Especially if there are serious allegations of child sexual abuse, domestic violence or drugs and alcohol misuse. At Children in FOCUS we provide safety to the children and a safeguard for parents who hate each other – either from further abuse or false allegations. We can guide parents where needed to ensure they feel supported and can parent naturally under supervision. Ultimately, we provide safety, opportunity & hope to the children and the parents who engage in our service.

We deal with all sorts of issues before, during and after the supervised visits. I will explain how we remain neutral and professional while managing difficult situations which arise during the visit. How do we keep the visits safe and fun at the same time? I will answer all these questions and unveil behind the scenes of the Supervised Contact Agency “Children in FOCUS” and share the good, the bad and the ugly of our daily operation. I will provide tips and suggestions on how everyone involved in the family law system can keep the focus on the children at all times to reach a better outcome for the family.
Parenting Coordination and its continuing evolution in the Australian Family Law landscape.
Ms Fiona Kirkman from Family PropertyMs Amanda Graham
Parenting Coordinators are being increasingly included in parenting orders both during court proceedings and at the conclusion of court proceedings. This session will look at the developing landscape in relation to parenting coordination in Australia, what parenting coordination is and where it sits within the suite of family law services in Australia.
Emerging Technologies in Family Law
Parenting Coordination and its continuing evolution in the Australian Family Law landscape.
Exploring and Enhancing the Quality of Single Expert Reports in Australia
Parenting Coordinators are being increasingly included in parenting orders both during court proceedings and at the conclusion of court proceedings. This session will look at the developing landscape in relation to parenting coordination in Australia, what parenting coordination is and where it sits within the suite of family law services in Australia.
Concerns about the quality of single expert reports has prompted the Australian Law Reform Commission (ALRC) to recommend an accreditation scheme aimed at improve the quality and consistency of single expert reports (also known as Parenting Plan Evaluations (PPEs). However, little is known about what consistitutes high-quality reports, the quality of reports submitted to courts in Australia, or how to improve them. A series of four Australian studies recently sought to address this gap by using a mixed method design. The presentation will summarise the research aims, methods, and findings. Findings can be used to assist evaluators in improving the quality of their work and can also assist legal professionals to better assess the quality of reports provided to the court and decide the weight accorded to the PPE.

Learning Objectives:
1) Learn about Australian research on the quality of expert reports.
2) Apply findings to your practice.
3.00pm-5.00pmSocial Drinks at end of conference

Our SPONSORS

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Platinum Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Coffee Cart Sponsor
Conference App Sponsor
Bronze Sponsor
Partner Affiliate
Gloria James-Civetta & Co - Proud Platinum Sponsor
Family Law International Alliance - Gloria James-Civetta & Co and Sayer Jones - Proud Platinum Sponsor
Family Law International Alliance - Gloria James-Civetta & Co and Sayer Jones has a key objective to...
Family Property
Family Property - Proud Gold Sponsor
FamilyProperty equips you with the tools you need to more efficiently run family property matters, parenting...
Relationships Australia
Relationships Australia - Proud Silver Sponsor
Relationships Australia are a leading provider of relationship support services for individuals, families...
Nicholes Family Lawyers
Nicholes Family Lawyers - Proud Silver Sponsor
Nicholes Family Lawyers is a leading specialist provider of Family Law services. Based in Melbourne’s...
The Kind Lawyers
The Kind Lawyers - Proud Bronze Sponsor
The Kind Lawyers a multi-disciplinary group of lawyers, mediators, therapists, and academics who are...
Our Family Wizard - Proud Silver Sponsor
Our Family Wizard - Proud Silver Sponsor
Our Family Wizard helps you with your schedule, files, contacts, and communication are contained within...
Barry Nilsson lawyers
Barry Nilsson Lawyers - Proud Silver Sponsor
Barry Nilsson Lawyers has been shaping a better legal experience, putting our clients first - where they...
Rafton Arbitration and Mediation
Rafton Arbitration and Mediation - Proud Sponsor Conference Coffee Cart
Rafton Arbitration and Mediation are a specialist Family and Divorce Law Practitioners located in Richmond,...
Resolve Conflict
Resolve Conflict - Proud Sponsor Conference App
Resolve Conflict Family Law and Mediation is a boutique Family Law firm located in the heart of the Melbourne...
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