24Domestic violence etc.

24 Domestic violence etc.

(1) The Secretary may make a determination in relation to a person for a period if the Secretary is satisfied that: (a) the person: (i) is the principal carer of one or more children; and (ii) was subjected to domestic violence in the 26 weeks before the making of the determination; or (b) the person is the principal carer of one or more children, and there are special circumstances relating to the person’s family that make it appropriate to make the determination. Determination of matters Secretary must take into account (2) The Secretary’s rules may prescribe matters that the Secretary must take into account in deciding whether there are special circumstances relating to a person’s family that make it appropriate to make a determination. (3) To avoid doubt, the Secretary’s rules do not limit the matters that the Secretary may take into account in deciding whether to make a determination under paragraph (1)(b). Period of determination (4) If a determination is made on grounds referred to in paragraph (1)(a) (or on grounds that include those grounds), the period that the Secretary determines must be 16 weeks. (5) Otherwise, the period that the Secretary determines must be the lesser of: (a) the period that the Secretary considers to be appropriate; or (b) 16 weeks. (6) A period referred to in subsection (4) or (5) may be followed by one or more other periods (each of those other periods not exceeding 16 weeks) determined in relation to the person.