Section 43 — Family Law Act 1975: Principles to be applied by courts

(1) A court exercising jurisdiction under this Act must, in the exercise of that jurisdiction, have regard to: (a) the need to preserve and protect the institution of marriage as the union of 2 people to the exclusion of all others voluntarily entered into for life; (b) the need to give the widest possible protection and assistance to the family as the natural and fundamental group unit of society, particularly while it is responsible for the care and education of dependent children; (c) the need to protect the rights of children and to promote their welfare; (ca) the need to ensure protection from family violence; and (d) the means available for assisting parties to a marriage to consider reconciliation or the improvement of their relationship to each other and to their children. (2) Paragraph (1)(a) does not apply in relation to the exercise of jurisdiction conferred or invested by Division 2.