Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .

Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1999 Week 7 Hansard (1 July) . . Page.. 1957 ..

formally requires decision-makers to identify whether a particular child or young person is an indigenous person. Having done so, the decision-maker is to involve relevant indigenous organisations in decisions concerning the child or young person. If placing a child or young person away from immediate family is necessary, the 'indigenous placement principle' is to be applied as advocated in the 'Bringing them home' report.

Outside the family, the Bill addresses the roles of the community, the State welfare agency and the court.

COMMUNITY RESPONSIBILITY

The role of the community is important in supporting children or young people and their families, both in terms of direct assistance (for which it is not intended to legislate), and through the reporting to relevant agencies concern about abuse or neglect. Following on from, and complementary to, a very detailed and comprehensive community education programme run by my Department in this area over the last 2 to 3 years, the Childrens Services Act provisions for voluntary and mandatory reporting of child protection concerns have been retained in the Bill.

Reassurance for the community that reports about suspected child abuse will be kept confidential is provided. There is a specific prohibition on the disclosure of information about 'reporters' and the contents of their reports, whether provided directly to the chief executive or passed on by the community advocate or interstate authorities.

GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITY & ACCOUNTABILITY

The Bill recognises that services to children or young people and their families may be provided by different arms of Territory administration. My own Department of Education and Community Services, for example, currently comprises not only schools, but also children's, youth and family services, and sport and recreation bureaux.

To maximise the opportunities for government to give best support to children and young people, the Bill shifts principle responsibility for children's and young people's matters from the office of the Director of Family Services to the more senior office of departmental chief executive. In this way the chief executive will have overarching responsibility, and with it, accountability to the community and this Assembly, for child protection, child care licensing and youth justice services under the Bill. This is seen as a way to maximise possibilities for seamless service-provision for all people under 18.

Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . .