The Community Services Directorate has released a report outlining the feedback received for the first stage of consultation on a proposal to dispense with parental consent provisions in the Adoption Act 1993.
Minister for Children, Youth and Families, Rachel Stephen-Smith unveiled the report saying it included themes from submissions received in response to the 2018 discussion paper Consultation on dispensing with consent provisions in the Adoption Act 1993.
“In late 2018, community members and organisations were invited to make submissions to the discussion paper which explored possible legislative, policy and practice changes to dispensing with consent provisions,” Ms Stephen-Smith said.
“The discussion paper followed a recommendation of the Domestic Adoption Taskforce, to explore dispensation of consent provisions to allow the ACT to better respond to the complex circumstances of children and young people in out of home care,” she said.
“More than 40 submissions were received from adoptees, birth parents, foster and kinship carers and community organisations.”
Ms Stephen-Smith said the feedback had informed the next stage of consultation and would assist in identifying possible changes to existing legislation.
“I wish to thank the many individuals and organisations who provided submissions and contributed to this important work,” she said.
“We heard clearly from these submissions that the best interests of the child and young person should be at the centre of every decision.”
Ms Stephen-Smith said the feedback had also highlighted the need to support the child or young person to participate in decision-making about their lives.
“The ACT Government’s position remains that adoption is not considered appropriate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people in the ACT.”
The 17-page report can be accessed at this PS News link.
