Porter wants to merge Family Court, Federal Circuit Court

A plan to merge two key courts in Australia with the promise of reducing waiting times has received a mixed reaction.

Attorney-General Christian Porter. Source: AAP

Attorney-General Christian Porter wants to merge the Family Court and the Federal Circuit Court by early next year as part of a push to cut waiting times and reduce trauma for families.

But his announcement appears to have taken some in the legal sector by surprise, and the Opposition says the Minister has failed to consult properly.