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About the Bill

On 14 July 2020, Hon Di Farmer MP, Minister for Child Safety, Youth and Women and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic and Family Violence, introduced the Child Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2020.  On 16 July 2020, the House referred the Bill to the Legal Affairs and Community Safety Committee for detailed consideration. 

According to the explanatory notes, the objectives of the Child Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2020 (the Bill) are to:

• enhance the approach to permanency under the Child Protection Act 1999;
• clarify that adoption is an option for achieving permanency for children in care, as part of the suite of alternative long-term care options available; and
• clarify the importance of and promote alternative permanency options for children under a long-term guardianship order to the chief executive.

The Bill responds to recommendation 6(b) of Deputy State Coroner Bentley’s findings of inquest.

The Bill also includes a technical amendment to the Adoption Act 2009 to allow the chief executive of the Department of Child Safety, Youth and Women to apply for final adoption orders for a small number of children from overseas.

Committee's Report

The committee tabled its report on the Child Protection and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2020 on 28 August 2020. 

Call for submissions

Submissions closed on 3 August 2020.  Submissions can be accessed under the "View Submissions" tab.

Related information

Timeline