http://www.stuff.co.nz/3973877a11.html

Protest fathers hope to see judge

By ANNA CHALMERS

February 26, 2007, The Dominion Post (NZ)---A protest outside the home of a former chief Family Court judge has been halted after the Families Commission offered to broker a meeting with the judiciary. The Fathers Coalition said it had "suspended" a protest planned for yesterday outside Judge Patrick Mahony's Wellington property after a "positive" meeting with the commission at which the offer was made.

Chief commissioner Rajen Prasad confirmed yesterday that he was contacting chief Family Court judge Peter Boshier about meeting the aggrieved fathers and was hopeful that, with "goodwill", it would take place.

The fathers' group says the court's rulings are biased in favour of mothers. Their protests made headlines last year when they used megaphones and placards at boisterous rallies outside the homes of lawyers, judges, psychologists and Parliament's Speaker, Margaret Wilson.

Dr Prasad said that, having spoken to the protesters, he believed they would benefit from a discussion with Judge Boshier. "We certainly had a very productive meeting. We were able to really understand what the men's group was saying," Dr Prasad said.

Eight coalition representatives, including one woman, met Dr Prasad, along with four commission board members and chief executive Paul Curry on Wednesday. Coalition spokesman Vivian Roberts, a Hawke's Bay GP, said the meeting was positive. "The Families Commission does seem to be very interested in our concerns."

The coalition agreed to suspend its protest for three weeks in a gesture of good faith.

But Mr Roberts said some members had reservations about the meeting, preferring to push for a select committee inquiry. He said the key issue was the Family Court's process, which created "winners and losers". "Most often the winner is the mother. What we want to see is equal parenting."

He said a high number of male suicides could be linked to Family Court cases, including those of fathers who had lost access to their children. Dr Prasad said the commission's job was to listen to the protesters. "(Their concern) was significant enough for us to meet the men's group."

A spokesman for Judge Boshier said that he would not comment on the planned meeting till after he had received a formal proposal from Dr Prasad.