Page 902 - Week 03 - Thursday, 14 April 1994
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SUCH AS THE MAGISTRATES COURT, LEGAL AID, THE AUSTRALIAN FEDERAL POLICE, AND THE DEPARTMENTS OF HEALTH AND EDUCATION. ALL AGENCIES ARE IN AGREEMENT THAT THE PASSAGE OF THESE BILLS WILL GREATLY ENHANCE THE CURRENT ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE DELIVERY OF CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES.
MADAM SPEAKER, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO OUTLINE TO THE ASSEMBLY THE MAJOR CHANGES-CONTAINED IN THE BILLS.
AS I HAVE ALREADY SAID, THE AMENDMENTS ESTABLISH THE DIRECTOR OF FAMILY SERVICES AS THE STATUTORY OFFICER RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DELIVERY OF CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES. THIS HAS INVOLVED A TRANSFER OF CERTAIN FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES FROM THE COMMUNITY ADVOCATE TO THE DIRECTOR.
ONE OF THE MORE SIGNIFICANT OF THESE TRANSFERS CONCERNS THE RECEIPT AND RECORDING OF NOTIFICATIONS OF CHILD ABUSE. ALTHOUGH IN PRACTICE NOTIFICATIONS ARE RECEIVED BY BOTH THE DIRECTOR OF FAMILY SERVICES AND THE COMMUNITY ADVOCATE, THE AMENDMENTS WILL ESTABLISH THE DIRECTOR AS THE OFFICE THAT HAS A STATUTORY ROLE AND FUNCTION TO BE NOTIFIED OF "CHILD IN NEED OF CARE" MATTERS. WHERE A PERSON NOTIFIES THE COMMUNITY ADVOCATE OF SUSPECTED OR ACTUAL CHILD ABUSE, THAT OFFICE WILL BE REQUIRED TO NOTIFY THE DIRECTOR OF FAMILY SERVICES OF SUCH MATTERS.
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