Page 407 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 7 March 2006
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I note that there will be further engagement between the chief executive of the department and the Office of the Community Advocate. That, I trust, will ensure a greater level of communication and cooperation between the two organisations so that streamlined reporting and responses can be further built upon when a decision is taken on action in relation to the abuse of children.
In relation to that, I welcome the proposed reporting process that will now see an annual reporting process to ensure that any required reporting is completed in a more regimented way and thus avoid any shortfalls. Of significance, the government has highlighted the importance of empowering facilitators of family group conferences who engage in conferencing work with children, young people and families, including mediation, resolving conflict or doing anything necessary to facilitate conferences.
Finally, of most importance is the new framework surrounding the protection and release of information under the act. The opposition supports, wherever it is necessary and deemed appropriate for the smooth delivery of care for children at risk, the release or sharing of protected or sensitive information between relevant agencies in the best interests of the child or young person at risk. I have to say that I think that that is a most sensible move and, as I say, it is fully supported by the opposition.
By supporting this phase of amendments, the Liberal Party is displaying a commitment to further protecting children and young people and providing further support to service providers who implement the act. It is, however, understood that if, in some form or another, these proposed amendments can be revisited, the opportunity may be extended during the government’s next round of amendments which I have already alluded to and which are planned for introduction around the middle to latter half of 2006, I understand.
I thank the minister for the inclusive approach taken in seeking the opposition’s support for this round of amendments to the Children and Young People Act 1999. It is genuinely hoped that the proposed amendments will both further empower the service providers and facilitate further inclusiveness of children and young people in decision-making processes that are covered by the act.
DR FOSKEY (Molonglo) (5.39): I support the Children and Young People Amendment Bill 2005 (No 2) in principle. I acknowledge that in reviewing and updating the Children and Young People Act the ACT government has undertaken a wide range of community consultation. I also note that the bill before us is only a small part of the reform and that much larger amendments are to come later this year.
The bill before us takes some positive steps in the way we recognise and treat the needs of children and young people. These positive steps include: the reinforcement of the best interests principle as being the paramount consideration; improved wording of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-related clauses; legislative introduction of a cultural plan for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and youth; requirement for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representative on the Children’s Services Council; requirement for decision makers to ensure children and young people and people with parental responsibility have a role in and fully understand the decision-making process; clearer definition of the role of public servants under the act;
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