Page 1767 - Week 05 - Thursday, 10 May 2018
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kinship carers rather than delegate functions of the director-general directly to them. The transfer of parental responsibility to carers is a decision made by the Children’s Court.
It is important to note that while certain powers can be delegated the Director-General of the Community Services Directorate retains ultimate responsibility for children in care. This means that the original intent of the responsible person will be realised, supporting the ACT government’s ongoing commitment to improving the delivery of out of home care and ensuring the safety of children and young people. Through this bill we are supporting the overarching principles of A step up for our kids by ensuring that case management decisions are made by a person with a closer relationship with a child or young person.
The bill also inserts technical and consequential amendments and rectifies unintended consequences of previous amendments. The bill reinstates the power to revoke the authorisation of foster or residential care services, with the purpose of reinstating a carer’s right of review and procedural fairness when revocation occurs. This bill protects and promotes the best interests of children and young people by providing a better response in situations of family violence and ensuring case management decisions are made closest to the child or young person. I commend this bill to the Assembly.
Debate (on motion by Mrs Kikkert) adjourned to the next sitting.
Standing order 30—amendment
MS STEPHEN-SMITH (Kurrajong—Minister for Community Services and Social Inclusion, Minister for Disability, Children and Youth, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Minister for Workplace Safety and Industrial Relations) (11.24): I move:
That standing order 30 of the Assembly be amended as follows:
Omit “The Speaker shall also acknowledge, at the beginning of each period of sittings, that the Assembly is meeting on the lands of the traditional custodians.”, substitute “The Speaker shall also acknowledge, at the beginning of each sitting day, that the Assembly is meeting on the lands of the traditional custodians.”.
In moving this motion today I note that the Standing Committee on Administration and Procedure is currently conducting a review of the standing orders. This is an important review, and I look forward to the committee’s report in due course. However, I am moving this motion outside the review process because this is the last sitting week before the ACT celebrates Australia’s first Reconciliation Day public holiday on 28 May.
Reconciliation Australia notes that incorporating acknowledgement protocols:
… recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of land. It promotes an ongoing connection to place of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and shows respect for Traditional Owners.
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