Family Relationship Centre opens - So why are they surprised?

This from Tasmania's Mercury....

"Mr Voumard said most of the clients were parents with concerns about their
access arrangements to children after a separation. Imagine if they were to actually help estranged parents see their kids more? Fat chance of this when the operators of these centres have all opposed equal parenting in government enquiries."


Obviously the expectation is that excluded parents will be able to see more of their kids - a consequence of the Government's spin on its so called reforms.

This will be a big blow for many desperate parents, and their kids.

Outcry.

http://www.news.com.au/mercury/story/0,22884,20115820-3462,00.html

The Mercury (Hobart)
14 August 2006

Demand surprises at new relationship service
By Anne Mather

Families are rushing to seek help with their relationships at a new centre
in Hobart.

The Hobart Family Relationship Centre, which was opened six weeks ago by
the Federal Government, has already conducted more than 200 face-to-face
appointments.

Centre manager Michael Voumard said the staff had been "pleasantly
surprised" by the instant demand for the new counselling and referral service.

"We had no idea what to expect when we opened our doors," Mr Voumard said.

"But we've been a bit busier than we expected."

People have sought pre-marriage advice and help with arrangements
post-separation.

Mr Voumard said most of the clients were parents with concerns about their
access arrangements to children after a separation.

Mr Voumard said it was not unusual for parents to change their minds about
such issues once their emotions settled down following a separation.

"It doesn't surprise us that parents change their minds," he said.

"The needs of the children also change, so it's important to have some
flexibility.

"Many grandparents are bringing up their grandchildren where parents are
not in a position to, and these grandparents are looking for support with
that."

The centre has been set up to help with all relationship issues, such as
pre-marriage counselling, separation issues, support for new parents,
family breakdown and de facto marriages.

Mr Voumard said men and women, in equal numbers, were also seeking advice
about ways of improving their relationships.

Mr Voumard said he was encouraged to see two queries had come from people
wanting information in preparation for marriage.

The new centre at 178 Macquarie St is among the first 15 of 65 Family
Relationship Centres the Government will establish as the cornerstone of
its $400-million changes to the family law system announced in the 2005 Budget.