Australian Letter Divorce Act In Force Tomorrow (Press, 31 January 1961)

The new Divorce Act in Australia, designed to standardise divorce law across the nation, will come into effect on February 1, 1961. A Gallup poll conducted in January reveals that almost 70 per cent of Australians support the act. However, some lawyers are expressing concerns that the new procedural rules for divorce courts may lead to significant confusion and difficulties for at least the next year. Many legal professionals in Sydney are currently advising clients to delay filing for divorce to avoid complications under the new legislation, as they attempt to process as many petitions as possible under existing state laws before the new federal rules are implemented. The Divorce Act grants 14 grounds for divorce, including five years of continuous separation, a significant change from the previous state legislation that had around 190 court rules compared to the new act's 329 rules. Some solicitors note that drafting a petition used to take approximately half an hour but may now require up to a week due to the increased complexity. The legislation underwent extensive debate in Parliament, mainly due to objections from religious leaders, notably from the Anglican and Roman Catholic communities, who alleged that it would make divorce too accessible. The contentious five-year separation rule was particularly debated before the act passed through a non-partisan vote. Meanwhile, the New South Wales Minister for Labour and Industry, Mr J. J. Maloney, faces criticism for his refusal to allow self-service petrol pumps in the state. Critics argue that his stance reflects an outdated approach to a modern problem, as other Australian states like Victoria and Queensland have already successfully implemented such services. Maloney cited concerns about competition and the oil companies' preference for personalised service as reasons for maintaining the restrictions. In a separate incident, a Sydney barber, Harold Ball, garnered attention after he chose to serve time in prison instead of paying a £5 fine for cutting a customer's hair 40 minutes past closing time. Initially standing by his principles, Ball refused to comply with the law requiring barbers to close by 5:45 p.m. Although he ultimately paid the fine after one day in prison, his actions sparked support among commentators and the public, highlighting a broader conversation about regulations and individual rights in Australia.

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