MR SMYTH

I have pleasure in presenting the Children and Young People (Consequential Amendments) Bill 1999.

Many amendments simply change references to the 'Children's Services Act 1986' to refer to the 'Children and Young People Act 1999'. Others change references to 'Director of Family Services' and 'Director' to refer to the 'chief executive' (or the 'chief executive responsible for administering Chapter 2 of the Children and Young People Act 1999'). The single greatest number of amendments relates to the Adoption Act 1993, which contains many references to the Director.

The Children and Young People Bill 1999 introduces to Territory law the concept of 'parental responsibility' in place of more traditional notions of 'custody', 'guardianship' and 'wardship'. In the circumstances the Consequential Amendments Bill changes references to the 'Director of Family Services' being the 'guardian' of a child, and a child being a 'ward' of the 'Director', to refer to the 'chief executive' having 'parental responsibility for the long-term care, welfare and development' of the child.

Where there were references in other Territory legislation to defined terms or specific sections of the Children's Services Act 1986, the Consequential Amendments Bill adjusts those links.

In addition, the Children and Young People Bill 1999 contains provisions relating to the way in which the community advocate can provide information to the chief executive. It also provides for the confidentiality attaching to that information. Consistent with those provisions, corresponding amendments are made to the way in which confidentiality of information relating to the community advocate's clients is ensured under the Community Advocate Act 1991.

I commend the Bill to Members.