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Send us Fan Mail Episode 37 Guest : James Treanor James was Born in NZ and moved to Aus when 15. Upon finishing year 12, he joined the Royal Australian Air Force.  James was posted to Amberly for 9 years as an Avionic technician and then to Adelaide for 12 months where he discharged. James obtained his carpentry and structural metal fabricators licenses. He was then. He as later accepted into the Queensland Police Service and commenced recruit training in December of 2006. James was posted to the Gold Coast and rotated through Palm Beach, Nerang , and South Port Police station before being permanently posted to Broadbeach. He spent short secondments at the CIB, Tactical Crime Squad, and Prosecutions. He was also a union official for most of his service. We talk about that difference of comradery between military and police. We talk about how a requirement to report colleagues for unethical behaviour has created a culture of fear and ruined morale. The complaint system was a tool for management and others to carry out vendettas. The biggest topic we peeled back was “Domestic Violence”. We spoke about the changes in legislation and police practices changing over time since the policing focus shifted to DV. We spoke about the removal of police discretion in deciding whether to make an application for a domestic violence order. James explains times where they would get called out to a common minor argument so they could finalise that job as a “disturbance” and that was it. He then explains how there is pressure from police communications and the District Duty Officer to hurry up and get on to the next job despite the requirement to thoroughly investigate. James explains how they could attend a job and both parties would end up attacking them despite one of them calling for help. He described how police then end up in court and both the aggrieved and respondent are against the police for making the application that legislation and operational procedures force police to make. James explains the distinction between private applications and police-issued applications. He also addresses the topic of costs and clarifies that parties are not automatically entitled to them despite common belief. James talks about how cross applications have become more common which will likely include historical allegations of rape and choking with no evidence. James discusses how DV has been expanded due to special interest group petitioning legislators to include very broad types of  behaviour. James discusses how it is not just about protection anymore, but it also results in employment, professional discipline, and licensing issues, such that people are at risk of losing their employment and careers.   Finally, we discuss perjury. James explains that perjury charges are rarely pursued because the system fears it may discourage genuine individuals from making complaints. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Guest - Mick & April Fox Mick grew up on Sydney’s Northern Beaches and lived independently from age 16 following his parents' early separation. His youth was marked by significant hardship, including losing one close friend to suicide at age 17 and another to murder at 18. He has two brothers, each separated by a 13-year age gap. Rugby league became a cornerstone of his life, and he continues to train at his old club to mentor and guide younger players.   Though Mick faced two assault charges at age 23 while completing a carpentry apprenticeship, his life shifted when he met his partner at a football game and became a father to his daughter, April, at age 22. He embraced fatherhood and eventually built a family home on a farm.   Inspired by his grandfather's WWII service and great-grandfather's WWI service, Mick joined the Australian Army at age 28. In 2000, he marched into 3 RAR and deployed to East Timor the following year. During this deployment, his family situation deteriorated. After a patrol, his sergeant informed him that April’s mother had called the battalion while heavily intoxicated to report a bizarre incident involving a naked Navy officer outside her home. This exposed a severe, ongoing issue with alcohol and multiple overdoses in her life, creating a complicated family environment that profoundly impacted Mick and his children. Alcohol had become a serious issue in April’s mother’s life, alongside a history of multiple overdoses — creating an increasingly difficult family situation for Mick and his children. After suffering a serious back injury in East Timor, Mick underwent 14 surgeries and was eventually discharged from the Army in 2004. Just four weeks later, he flew to Iraq to begin private contracting, before later working in Somalia. In 2006, while Mick was home on leave, April’s mother overdosed. April was only seven years old. A second overdose followed in 2008, prompting Mick to leave contracting behind and return home to support his family. But the situation continued to deteriorate. After a third overdose in 2009, Mick says the family became caught up in AVO proceedings and serious allegations, including a rape allegation that he maintains was false. Then, on 16 April 2010, Mick narrowly survived a shooting in which his friend was murdered in front of him. His story would take yet another extraordinary turn when his home was deliberately burnt down under circumstances Mick says raised serious questions about changes made to insurance policies shortly beforehand. Eventually, Witness Protection became involved. Mick and his daughter April open about these events, what really happened behind the scenes, and the lasting impact it had on their family. By this point, Mick had had enough. Feeling like his voice wasn’t being heard, he decided to send a message that couldn’t be ignored — he would climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge in protest. Mick began conducting reconnaissance and, on 12 May 2011, completed a Bridge Climb tour to familiarise himself with the bridge, its anchor points and access routes. The following morning, Friday 13 May 2011, Mick arrived beneath the bridge at around 4am, leaving a walkie-talkie and note in his car for police. Once on the bridge, he secured his banners and called Matty Johns’ radio show to deliver his message about parental alienation and the family court system While speaking with police negotiators, Mick agreed to come down but asked not to be handcuffed in front of the cameras because he didn’t want his children seeing that on the news. The protest gained national attention, and Mick says he received close to 30,000 messages on Facebook afterwards. For April, the story was deeply personal. She remembers a happy childhood riding horses and being homeschooled, while loving both her parents unconditionally. But she also remembers the difficult times surrounding her mother’s drinking and witnessing her father being arrested. At around 12 years old, April was placed into witness protection under a new identity. She struggled to understand why her father had been taken away while she remained in an unstable environment, leaving her with a lasting distrust of authority. April eventually returned home in 2017. She says seeing her dad on the Sydney Harbour Bridge had always made her proud, and the memory helped carry her through some of her darkest days. In 2019, April climbed the Beenleigh Bridge, framed a photo from the moment and sent it to Mick for Father’s Day. Years later, the story came full circle when Mick, April and his son climbed the Sydney Harbour Bridge together — this time, not in protest, but as a family.   Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Episode 35 Guest - Pete Dane This is a touching story of a man, by the name of Peter Dane, who has really seen it all - literally from both sides of the fence, and I mean both sides!  By all accounts, Peter was an upstanding law-abiding citizen, having spent 19 years working within the NSW law enforcement and criminal justice system, to then being managed by it!  He was hard-working, a loving, and devoted father, a genuine, straight-shooter, and all round good bloke, that so many people easily got along with!  Unfortunately, after having separated from his now ex-wife back in late 2016, after having spent 18.5 years together, things turned sour quite quickly! Having three (3) children from this union, his ex-wife began to make things very difficult for him in seeing his children (constantly withholding the children from him and playing mind games etc), whereby he was forced to commence family court proceedings in order to gain fair access. Such family court proceedings went back and forth through the family court system for about five (5) years or so, costing him hundreds and thousands of dollars along the way, and at the end, very little was gained! Shortly after his separation from his ex-wife, his ex-wife began to bring their personal marital/relationship issues into his workplace (via her attending the house of, and speaking to one of Peter's female work colleagues at the time), coupled with her making multiple fabricated, vexatious, and malicious allegations against him, which in turn caused Peter enormous and irreparable damage to his work environment and relationships with his then work colleagues. This was all in part to his ex-wife "rebelling" and her "resentment" against the separation, as she made a comment to Peter just prior to him leaving the family home, saying words to the effect of "The moment you walk out this door, I'm going to make your life a f****n living hell, make no mistake about that, you hear me"! By all accounts his ex-wife was a very "scorned", "spiteful", and "resentful" woman!  In late 2017, about 12 months or so after his marriage separation, Peter (with reservations at the time) began a new relationship with a woman he met and fonded a strong relationship with through work. What appeared to start out great, soon turned out to be a living nightmare! Peter describes how his new partner (now ex-partner who he was in a romantic relationship with for about two (2) years), was fixated (on his ex-wife), and would constantly bring up matters involving his ex-wife and her toxic and hostile behaviour. His ex-partner would constantly (on a near daily basis) engage in heavy alcohol use (to the point of intoxication), whereby she would become extremely aggressive, abusive, threatening, throwing objects at him, and constantly looking for and wanting to engage in heated arguments and confrontations, namely over matters his ex-wife had and was continually causing etc! She would also make up things to start an argument, that simply weren't there or true!  Peter describes how once his ex-wife became aware of his new relationship, things with his ex-wife deteriorated rapidly, and spiralled out of control, whereby she took things to another level! Peter describes how he was subjected to countless violent threats, abuse, hostilities etc from his ex-wife and some of her family members; he was subjected to physical assaults by his ex-wife, including attempts by his ex-wife to run him over in her motor vehicle while their three (3) children where inside, his ex-wife turning up to his house uninvited and creating a scene at the house (yelling, screaming, making verbal threats etc), including kicking the front door, amongst many other incidents.  Peter explains he made about 11 reports to police about these various incidents, seeking an Apprehended Domestic Violence Order (ADVO) be taken out against his ex-wife, but it was to no avail. It was only after his 12th police report being lodged, and his car being damaged by his ex-wife, that police finally took out a ADVO. Despite such, Peter advises that his ex-wife not only breached such ADVO once, but twice, and in turn was only given a "verbal warning" from the Courts regarding such breaches.  Given the significant toxic and hostile issues Peter was experiencing, namely involving his ex-wife, and ex-partner, coupled with the access limitations he was having in being able to see his three (3) children at the time; Peter's mental health had deteriorated rapidly, to the point whereby he sadly made numerous suicide attempts, resulting in him having to spend many weeks in and out of the ICU, hospitals, and psychiatric units. By all accounts, Peter should have been dead by his poor chosen actions at the time, but by some absolute miracle, he is thankfully still alive and here with us which is amazing! Sadly, in late 2019, things between him, his ex-partner, and his ex-wife continued to rapidly deteriorate, coupled with the fact his three (3) children were being withheld from him by his ex-wife, which had tipped him over the edge. Very sadly, and unfortunately, as a result of Peter reacting, acting out, and engaging in some very poor choices and poor behaviour on a particular night, he found himself in some serious trouble with the law, whereby he was charged by police with several DV related offences, to which he plead guilty to, and was subsequently incarcerated for!  It takes a real man to own up to his mistakes, and Peter fully and openly acknowledges, accepts, and takes full responsibility for all his wrongdoings, his poor choices, and his unacceptable behaviour (without minimising), regarding the events of what happened on that horrendous night!  This is definitely a life-changing story on so many fronts, which is not to be missed!! Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Episode 34 Guest - Adrian Perez In one of our most confronting and emotionally powerful episodes, Adrian Perez shares the unimaginable reality of being separated from his daughters through parental alienation. With remarkable honesty and vulnerability, he recounts the events that led to losing contact with his children and the profound grief that comes from missing years of their lives. Adrian speaks openly about the emotional rollercoaster of navigating the family court system, the financial and psychological toll it has taken on him, and the heartbreaking moments of watching precious milestones pass by from a distance. He reflects on the feelings of helplessness, isolation, and despair that so many parents experience when they are denied meaningful contact with their children, while also discussing the importance of maintaining hope in the face of overwhelming adversity. Throughout our conversation, Adrian highlights the long-term consequences that parental alienation and high-conflict family disputes can have—not only on parents but, more importantly, on children. He shares the coping strategies that have helped him continue moving forward, the lessons he has learned through his journey, and why he believes awareness, reform, and open conversations are essential to protecting families. This episode isn't simply about one father's heartbreaking story. It's a conversation about resilience, unconditional love, mental health, and the enduring bond between a parent and child. Adrian's courage in sharing his experience sheds light on an issue that often remains hidden behind closed doors and offers hope to others who may be walking a similar path. Whether you're a parent, grandparent, legal professional, mental health practitioner, or someone wanting to better understand the human impact of family separation, this episode is both thought-provoking and deeply moving. It serves as a powerful reminder that every family has a story, and every child deserves the opportunity to have healthy, loving relationships with the important people in their lives whenever it is safe to do so. In this episode, we discuss: Adrian's journey through parental alienation and family separation.The emotional, financial, and psychological impact of prolonged court proceedings.The devastating effects of losing contact with his daughters.The importance of resilience, mental health, and finding purpose through adversity.Why greater awareness and meaningful conversations around parental alienation matter.Adrian's message of hope for parents facing similar challenges.Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Episode 33 Guest - Benson Tan & Collette Farron For years, Benson stayed silent. Not because he had nothing to say, but because he was silenced. Now, after years of court battles, separation from his daughters, false allegations, legal proceedings, and a relentless fight to remain part of their lives, he is sharing his story publicly for the very first time. From being best friends since the mid-90s, to creating two beautiful daughters together through IVF, life took a path no one could have imagined. What started as an amicable co-parenting relationship after his wife had multiple affairs eventually turned into a nightmare. Following an incident where his ex-wife assaulted his partner, a DVO was put in place on him, communication was cut off, and a father was suddenly unable to see or speak to his children. After years of fighting, consent orders were finally reached, offering hope that a meaningful relationship with his daughters could be rebuilt. But the battle didn’t end there. Constant allegations, ongoing court appearances, and repeated attempts to stop contact took their toll. After years of emotional, financial, and legal exhaustion, he reached a point where he simply couldn’t keep fighting. This is the story of a father who never wanted to walk away but was worn down by a system and a process that seemed determined to keep him away. When the legal battles ended, the emotional impact remained. This episode isn’t just about one father. It’s about the cost of family breakdown, the challenges of navigating complex legal systems, and the resilience it takes to keep showing up when every door seems closed. After years of staying silent, he’s ready to share his experience. This is his story. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Episode 31 Guest - Leana Carter In this week's episode, I speak with Leana Carter (a pseudonym used to protect her identity), who worked for DV Connect for over five years. With her voice altered for safety, Leana reveals the internal operations of the organization and discusses what she describes as a significant gender bias. While DV Connect’s mission is to provide safety, transport, and crisis support for Queenslanders, Leana highlights several concerns regarding equality and workplace culture: * Operational Discrepancies: The women’s crisis line operates 24/7, while the men’s line is only available from 9:00 AM to midnight. * Training and Gender Lens: Leana discusses the employee training manual, which she claims focuses exclusively on a female-centric "gender lens." She explains that staff are trained from recognizing men as victims and that challenging this perspective can lead to termination. * Internal Culture: The episode covers allegations of a "man-hating" culture, illegal "perp checks" on personal acquaintances, and high employee turnover. * Funding and KPIs: We discuss how the organization meets specific quotas to maintain funding requirements. * Triage and Procedures: Leana explains the three-tier system—from the initial 10-minute screening call to phone-based intake and finally shelter placement—and the challenges involving male children over the age of 12. * System Manipulation and Misconduct: The conversation touches on how the system is exploited for payouts through Victims Assist QLD (VAQ), as well as allegations of a serious drug culture within the office. She references one case where one woman got paid $100,000 on year. * Dug Culture: Leana talks about the bad Drug culture that happens in the office. There is a serious cocaine problem not only being used but also being dealt. This episode offers a candid look at the government narrative that only women can be victims and the reality behind the scenes of the so called "Equality" of DV. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Episode 31 Guest - Len Jessop & his partner Angela  On this episode I am joined by author of A Lethal Phobia, Len Jessop, and his partner Angela — who wrote the foreword to the book. Len is a father who has not seen his children in nearly three years. His love for them has never waned, his door remains open to them forever, and he is so proud of them both. Shaped by a stoic father and a mother with a heart of gold, Len's personal story is one of sacrifice, resilience, and defiant endurance. We also find time to talk about rugby league. In this conversation we cover the domestic violence industry and the uncomfortable truth that deaths are rising despite record funding. We discuss a peculiar and largely unknown Queensland law that Len believes represents a genuine risk to anyone accused under it. We talk about how compliance, self preservation, and institutional preservation consistently appear to take precedence over uncomfortable facts — and why those who challenge the accepted narrative so rarely find institutional support for doing so. We talk about the designed machine — Len's argument that the system is not broken but functioning exactly as intended. His criticism is directed at systems and institutions rather than individuals — and that distinction matters. We discuss perception versus reality — and the framework Len developed for getting closer to truth. Base Reality plus Context plus Cui Bono. He talks about choosing life when the darkness was at its deepest and why he believes nobody should throw away their ticket. This is an honest, evidence based, and at times confronting conversation about a system that affects far more families than most Australians realise. His book — A Lethal Phobia — is available now at alethophobia.com. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Episode 29 Guest - Rodney Joyce On this episode, I am joined by Rodney Joyce, a 57-year-old father of three from Ballina. Rodney shares the deeply personal story of fighting for his children and the struggles with mediation. After separating from his first partner when his daughter was 4 years old, Rodney found co-parenting manageable until his daughter turned eight and contact was abruptly cut off. He describes his experience with mediation and explains why he found the process ineffective for his situation. He recalls the heartbreaking experience of waiting for his daughter on Christmas Day, only to be told she would not be coming. After meeting his second partner, they welcomed a son a year later. However, challenges soon emerged within the relationship. Rodney discusses these difficulties, including a traumatic assault that resulted in a police-issued protection order for his safety. He also details the subsequent legal battle in the NSW Children’s Court involving fabricated allegations.  Rodney opens up about a difficult event where he received a letter claiming he had abducted his son. This situation unfortunately resulted in Rodney’s family having to drive his son to the airport to hand him over to his ex-partner. On a lighter note, Rodney also shares his experiences with his lawyer, jokingly referencing the character "Dennis Denuto" from the 1997 Australian film, The Castle. Furthermore, Rodney touches on his 24-year journey of paying child support, the sacrifices he made to provide for his daughter, and his subsequent fight to recover funds owed to him.  Today, Rodney has been happily married for 17 years. He is grateful to have all three of his children in his life and credits his beloved staffy, who was by his side for 17 years, for helping him through his darkest times. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Episode 26 Guest - Alex Johnson In this week’s episode, I am joined by Alex Johnson, a long-term employee at Child Support. Please note that to protect my guest's identity, I have changed their name and altered their voice. When I announced this interview and asked for your input, I received over 500 questions across all platforms. I am pleased to share that we managed to cover nearly 80% of the topics you requested.  During our conversation, my guest agrees that the Child Support formula needs to be updated. They explain that the agency can typically only backdate three months of arrears, extending to nine months only under special circumstances. We also discuss a wide range of topics, including: - ART & TRIP (Tax Return Intercept Process) Centrelink payments and domestic violence exemptions - Maximum income thresholds ($232,843.00) - The six formulas used in an assessment - Section 106A - Staff burnout and the training provided when mistakes occur - The backlog of objections and Change of Assessments (COA) - 28-day time frame for objections - Why court orders can be "rinse and repeat" & how to avoid wasting time - The impact of withholding children without justification - Business rules and regular care - Understaffing and resource shortages within the CSA - The Telecommunications Act regarding recording calls - Debt offsets and late penalty fees (and where those fees go) - Why the CSA will not pause payments - How payments adjust when a child turns 18 - The challenges of working within the agency - MTAWE (Male Total Average Weekly Earnings) in child support assessments - Garnishing / freezing accounts - Different departments in child support - Paying parent vs Receiving Parent - Private arrangements - Family court issues vs Child Support Issues - Overdue child support / Departure Prohibition Orders (DPO) - Reporting income (Incrementally) - CSA staff receive intense 12 weeks initial training package If you are struggling to navigate the child support system, this is an episode you don't want to miss. We cover a wide range of topics, and it is likely that any questions or queries you have will be answered in this discussion. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Episode 28 Guest - Thomas Haxby On this episode, we are joined by Thomas Haxby, father of one. Originally from Nottingham in the UK, Thomas moved to Australia with his parents and two sisters at the age of four. Only a year later, he was diagnosed with the rare condition Perthes disease, and was told he would need to rely on his mind—not his body—throughout life. Through discipline, resilience, and an unbreakable mindset, Thomas proved every prediction wrong. He went on to build a career as a trainer, mentor, and role model for youth and men today. Thomas spent roughly twelve years with his former partner—his best friend, his companion, and the mother of his child. Life changed quickly. One moment they were together on the Gold Coast, planning their next family holiday; shortly after returning home, the relationship ended. What followed was a 14‑month legal battle involving property settlement and custody of his daughter. Thomas speaks openly about the reality many men face in family law. His message is clear:   If you conduct yourself with integrity, stay disciplined, treat every interaction as if it will be reviewed in court, and think three steps ahead, men can achieve fair outcomes. Thomas secured 50/50 custody and retained his property—through patience, preparation, and allowing the other side to make their own mistakes. Throughout the process, meditation and a strong partnership with his lawyer became essential. Thomas entered mediation with complete confidence, backed by documentation, evidence, and emotional control. Within ten minutes, 50/50 care was granted—a result he had fought for relentlessly. His advice to men is simple and powerful:   - Document everything.   - Stay cool, calm, collected, and calculated.   - Work with a lawyer you genuinely connect with—don’t just hire the first name you find.   - Do your research, build your case, and protect your character at all costs. Thomas shares this story not for sympathy, but for awareness. Throughout the process, attempts were made to break him, provoke him, and drag him out of character. But he refused to slip. He was fighting for his daughter, his business, and his livelihood—and he was never going to be defeated. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Episode 27 Guest - Robbie & Olivia Hay In this episode we meet Robbie and Olivia Hay. Robbie was brought up by his single dad with holiday visits to his mum. After leaving school for work at aged 16, he shortly after met his now ex-partner (the mother of his children). Cracks were there from the beginning but being so young and already surrounded by other fractured relationships Robbie thought this to be normal. Robbie tells us about his experience as a victim of domestic violence, love bombing, bread crumbing and going through withholding abuse. After the birth of his 2 children, in 2014 and 2021, he officially split from the mother of his children and shortly after met Olivia, now his wife. Since their meeting his ex-partner did everything in her power to cause turmoil in their relationship and also withheld the children.  Despite engaging with the Family Court system in hopes of establishing a healthy co-parenting arrangement, Robbie describes a highly complex and frustrating legal process. Following a four-day trial—during which he was permitted to respond to claims but unable to present his own evidence—a No Contact order was issued. Consequently, Robbie is restricted from contacting his children until they reach the age of 18. This heartbreaking story is one of many with a similar formula: another father who trusted a system that, instead of protecting families, has left children fatherless. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Episode 25 Guest - Brentin Mumford On this week’s episode, I am joined by Brentin Mumford, a 38-year-old father of three. Originally from Lismore, New South Wales, but now resides on the Gold Coast.   He is a retired mixed martial artist who currently focuses his time and energy on coaching and building Fighting Fathers out of CMBT Fight gym in Burleigh. After attempting mediation in 2023, the challenges he faced throughout that process inspired him to establish the organization fighting fathers. His goal is to provide essential support to other men as they navigate the complexities of the system.   Brentin being the Eldest of 5, grew up in a small country town known as Lismore. He got into ice hockey at a young age. In 2003 when he turned 16 he left go to to Edmonton, Alberta Canada for hockey. He returned to Australia 2 years later and rekindled with his ex from high school and fell pregnant and before he knew it, he was a kid raising a kid. They lived at Brentin’s in-laws until they got stable which saw Brentin have his daughter at the age of 27.   In 2008, Brentin was involved in a fatal car accident involving an elderly man. This event profoundly impacted his mental health, leading him to seek professional help. However, he found the experience unproductive, describing the attempt to heal as trying to fix a broken mirror that will always remain cracked.   Brentin’s personal life has also seen significant upheaval. Eight years after the birth of his son, he and his partner had a daughter. Despite hopes that a second child might reignite the relationship, they separated when she was six months old but maintained a healthy co-parenting relationship to which they still have today, 11yrs later.   He later entered a new relationship and had another child. When this relationship ended, his ex-partner began creating obstacles for him to see his son, making it difficult for them to bond. This situation left him with no choice but to initiate mediation. While early private discussions seemed promising, the dynamic shifted significantly during the joint Zoom mediation session, where the mediator’s demeanor was entirely different from their previous one on one interactions. During mediation, Brentin's PTSD and his use of medical marijuana to manage sleep-related night terrors following his car accident was brought up and used against him. The mediation agreement established six-week visitation blocks, with hours increasing in each subsequent block. There had been a request for Brentin to undergo a hair follicle test regularly. He knew that this test will return a positive result, as he continues to use prescribed medical cannabis to assist with his sleep. In 2022, Brentin was living on the Gold Coast when a major flood destroyed his parents' home in Lismore. Unknown to him, a Domestic Violence Order (DVO) had been served to that flooded address. Because the police did not attempt to contact him via phone or social media, Brentin was unaware of the order until friends began sending him news links regarding a warrant for his arrest.   Confused and shocked, Brentin handed himself in. He was subsequently charged with intimidation. This experience highlighted the significant struggles and legal communication breakdowns within the system; Brentin recounts one specific day in court where everything that could go wrong did.   Brentin’s eldest son resided with him full time and he was advised to plead guilty and focus his energy on the two children currently in his care due to the unpredictability of the court system. Given Brentin's background as a professional MMA fighter, the barrister noted that the judge may view the circumstances more critically, and fighting the charges would likely prolong the process. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Episode 25 Guest - Tony Nikolic In the next episode, I sit down with Tony Nikolic — Australian solicitor, principal of AFL Solicitors, and one of the country’s most unapologetic advocates for human and civil rights. His work is defined by a singular professional duty: to protect without fear or favour, regardless of pressure, politics, or personal cost. Practising nationally across commercial litigation, complex family law, estates, and criminal law, Tony operates at the sharp edge of Australia’s legal system, where individual rights collide with institutional power. Tony holds two Master of Laws degrees — one in Family Dispute Resolution (with accreditation in mediation) and another in Commercial Litigation — alongside an Honours degree in Criminology, qualifications as a Notary, and a Diploma in Business Management. He is also a published author, contributing to the International Handbook of Whistleblower Research (2014), where he examined the protection of whistleblowers and taxpayers — reinforcing his lifelong commitment to accountability and justice. Widely respected for his work in high-conflict family law, Tony represents clients in matters where parenting disputes and property proceedings intersect with criminal allegations and systemic failure. His advocacy extends beyond individual cases into the reform space, where he champions evidence-based legal change, including his proposed Family Law “Three Strikes” model, designed to address repeated breaches of parenting orders and restore accountability to the system. We examine the gatekeeping of children, the reality that as little as 30 days of separation can sever a child’s emotional bond with a parent, and the enduring lack of meaningful support for fathers in Australia. Restoring Accountability: The Three Strikes Reform Tony outlines his proposed Three Strikes Enforcement Structure, a reform to the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) designed to introduce clarity, consistency, and meaningful consequences for repeated breaches of parenting orders — interim or final — while always maintaining the best interests of the child. Key proposed reforms include:  Strike 1 – Civil Penalty • $500 civil fine • Mandatory make-up time for denied contact • Formal entry in a Parenting Order Enforcement Register  Strike 2 – Escalation and Warning • Further $500 fine • Formal judicial warning • Power to vary parenting orders to restore compliance  Strike 3 – Criminal Referral • Referral for criminal prosecution for serious interference • Power to reverse custody • Minimum six months supervised contact for the non-compliant parent (at their expense), or • Appointment of a parenting coordinator funded by the non-compliant party Tony also discusses his recent meetings in the United States with Robert Garza, a Texas-based father and advocate whose lived experience with parental alienation helped drive reforms restoring parenting time. Since returning, Tony has refined the model for Australia and submitted the draft Bill to Senator Malcolm Roberts. Time Taken Must Be Time Returned The proposed Bill further amends the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth) to ensure parenting time is restored where a parent has been denied access due to: • Child protection investigations, or • Family violence, intervention, or restraining orders - where no finding of abuse, neglect, or risk of harm is ultimately made. These reforms prevent parents from being permanently deprived of court-ordered time based on unsubstantiated allegations, while preserving judicial discretion and the paramount consideration of the child’s welfare. Tony’s guiding principle is simple: “Hold the line.” Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Episode 23 Guest - Digby Ioane On my next episode I sit down with Digby Ioane, a Brisbane-based father of two who spent four years navigating the family court system. Born in New Zealand and of Samoan heritage, Digby moved to Melbourne at age one. He grew up as the youngest of nine, five boys and four girls, in a family-oriented home. His parents later adopted six more children from Samoa, and their house was always full. If one of his older brothers met someone who was homeless or struggling, they would bring them home too. Later, while playing overseas, Digby moved to France to join Stade Français, where he met the mother of his first child. Their relationship began to break down shortly after his son’s birth. Digby had flown his baby mother and son to Melbourne so his son could spend time with his father, who was gravely ill. She left to France early for a job interview, and two days after she left with his son, his father passed away. Digby shared in the podcast that when he tried to express how much he was hurting, she told him to “Just get over it.” That moment, on top of losing the man he described as the family’s protector whose love was “on another level,” became a breaking point. Shortly after his first relationship ended, Digby met his second partner, the mother of his second child. Throughout their relationship, she questioned how Digby managed to afford his properties and expenses. His sister, who handled his finances, had been diagnosed with cancer. His partner used this to convince him to let her “help” and eventually “take over” managing his finances. She pushed him to set up internet banking, something he had never used before, so she could pay bills and renovation invoices while he travelled for rugby and flew frequently to Melbourne to care for his dying sister. This is how she was able to access his accounts. When his sister passed away, Digby asked her to fly down for the funeral. She agreed but asked him to pay for her best friend’s flight as well. She came down but left before the burial, flying back to Brisbane with their son because he was “sick,” leaving Digby to mourn alone. Digby remained in Melbourne for two weeks to support his family. His 12-year-old nephew, also named Digby, asked if he could move to Brisbane to live with him, just as Digby had previously done for his nephew Monty Ioane, who is now an international rugby player for Italy.  When he told his partner the plan, she “lost it” and gave him the ultimatum: “IT’S EITHER ME OR YOUR NEPHEW.” Digby refused to abandon his nephew and stood his ground. Consequently, she left, telling Digby that her father was sick and that she was going to Canberra to stay & look after him. All of a sudden, Police are calling Digby wanting to question him about a whole list of fabricated allegations his ex has made.During the proceedings, Digby discovered that his ex had been transferring $5,000 daily from his account into her own. When the transactions were traced, they showed she had used the money to pay off her personal credit card debt and had moved funds into multiple bank accounts she controlled. On the surface, it appeared she was “paying all the bills,” but the deposits funding those bills were coming directly from Digby’s income, rental properties, and the rugby clinics. Their relationship lasted only 20 months. She had moved into a fully paid-off house, contributed nothing to the mortgage, and the household was funded by his passive income and rugby work, yet she initially sought a “70/30 split.” Following years of emotional, financial and legal pressure, Digby’s friend advised him to make a final offer of $100,000 “so she’ll accept it and disappear.” Within five minutes of receiving the email, she accepted, signed and returned the documents.In total, Digby spent around $710,000 through this ordeal. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Episode 22  Guest – Pauline Hanson On our next episode of the broken fathers podcast I sit speak with someone who’s not only seen the pain, but spoken out about it—in Parliament, on national television, and in the face of fierce opposition. She’s a a federal senator, the founder of One Nation, and one of the few politicians who’s dared to publicly call the family court system for what many of us know it to be “BROKEN”. A strong independent woman, Senator Pauline Hanson. Senator Hanson’s first marriage was in the 1970s and after it ended, she found herself a single mother at the age of 33. She didn’t claim child support or other assets. She worked diligently to support herself and her child. She later married a second time and had two more children. This marriage also ended, there no property settlement as Pauline walked out and left the house and plumbing business to her ex. but Pauline’s hardest battle was trying to get the children's father to be involved in their kid’s lives because she knows how important it is for the children to have a father in their lives. Pauline was flat out trying to get $20 a week. When Senator Hanson joined parliament in 1996, the biggest issue that came across Senator’s desk was issues about family law system. She has personal experience with the family court system, as two of her sons have gone through it. She has witnessed firsthand the pain it caused them and felt that pain herself, how unfair and broken the system is especially knowing how much her sons love their children. Senator Hanson argues that the courts and both parents should prioritize what is best for the children, rather than engaging in abusive, hurtful actions or using children as pawns. Pauline believes children have a right to be with their parents. Pauline grew up with amazing male role models like her amazing father and loving brothers. She’s not anti-male but she’s not joining some me2 movement and she makes a reminder to all those mothers out there you reap what you sow, that may be being spiteful and using the kids as pawns that It might be your sons being denied their children form a grandmother one day later in life. We delved into comments made by former Parramatta family court judge David Collier, who, after 14 years on the bench, observed a significant amount of false evidence presented in domestic violence and sexual abuse cases, noting that perjury always went unaddressed. We question why charges were not laid in such instances. Our conversation also touched on the perceived influence of "woke" ideologies in parliament, particularly regarding women's rights, and how the current Child Support system can be viewed as a "cash cow." We both agree that child support payments should be managed through a receipted bank account to ensure funds are exclusively used for the child's benefit. We believe that reforming child support could lead to greater accountability. Pauline suggests that all domestic violence allegations should first be heard in a magistrate's court to determine their veracity before proceeding to family court. Furthermore, these allegations should not be admissible in family court unless proven factual. Pauline mentioned that domestic violence cases consume 75% of the Queensland Police Service's resources, leading to frustration among officers who feel the system needs to be re-evaluated. Additionally, we discussed a perceived lack of courage among many politicians, attributing it to the need to adhere to party lines. The misuse of the domestic violence system as a legal weapon, often facilitated by unaddressed perjury, was another point of concern. We reflected on the powerful display of 2,400 single boots on the lawns of Parliament, representing men and boys who have died by suicide.  Support the show