Page 473 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 21 February 2012

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carers regarding the proposed charter of rights for children, young people and young adults in, or previously in, out-of-home care.

It should be remembered that carers cease to have carer responsibility for a young person beyond the age of 18 years. The expectation of additional requirements may impact on the future availability of carers, the duration of care placements and further funding to undertake ongoing responsibilities beyond the current requirements. The government’s bill clearly outlines the supports and assistance young people transitioning from out-of-home care can access, including post-care support up to the age of 25.

The government has already committed over $2 million over four years to put into practice these supports by establishing a young people’s support and transition team within the office and is delivering on the government’s commitment to supporting young people in transitioning from out-of-home care. We believe it is inappropriate to incorporate a charter of rights into the Children and Young People Act. We believe that this is a matter of policy, including how such a charter would be administered.

I will talk briefly to the other amendments that go broadly into information and access to information and personal items. The Children and Young People Act already requires care entities to keep information, including personal information, such as birth certificates, school reports, medical reports and photographs.

Further, the Children and Young People Act is clear. When a placements ends, a care entity is to give all personal information and records about the child or young person to the director-general. This includes personal items and protected information. Also, the Children and Young People Act already states that the director-general may authorise a care entity to give the child or young person access to personal information and records if the director-general considers this to be in the person’s best interests.

Whilst I will be supporting the amendments on the table with the exclusion of those proposed by Ms Hunter, I think our position is that a number of the allowances and conditions are already within the act.

Question put:

That Mrs Dunne’s amendment to Ms Hunter’s proposed amendment be agreed to.

The Assembly voted—

Question so resolved in the affirmative.

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