The Adoption of Children Act 1988 made the welfare of the child the first consideration in any adoption. In addition, it contained provisions enabling adult adoptees to obtain information about themselves. The Act established the Adoption Information Service. The Adoption of Children Act 1988 repealed the Adoption of Children Act 1968. The new Act set…
The Infant Life Protection Act 1907 also known by its full title as ‘An Act to make Better Provision for the Protection of Infant Life, and for other purposes’ (Act no.7 Edw. VII No.51) was intended to reduce the high mortality rate of illegitimate babies by providing for the inspection of their foster homes. This…
The Youthful Offenders, Destitute and Neglected Children’s Act also known by its full title “An Act to consolidate and amend the Law relating to Destitute Children and Youthful Offenders, and to make further provision for the Care and Control of neglected Children” (Act no.60 Vict. No.24) provided for the establishment of a Neglected Children’s Department…
The Industrial Schools Act (Act no.31 Vict. No.37) with the full title ‘An Act to provide for the Establishment in Tasmania of Institutions for the Industrial Training and Benefit of Vagrant Children and Youthful Offenders’ provided for the establishment of institutions for children who were neglected or had committed an offence. Such children could be…
The Public Charities Act 1873 also known as “An Act to make provision in respect of the Maintenance of Indigent Persons” (Act no. 37 Vict. No.15) enabled the government to assist poor people who were not living in an institution. It also provided for children under the age of 16, who were orphaned, deserted or…
The Youth Justice Act 1997 (Act No.81/1997) commenced in 1999. Its long title was ‘An Act to provide for the treatment and punishment of young persons who have committed offences and for related purposes’. Together with the Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act 1997, which commenced in mid-2000, this legislation brought about significant changes…
The Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act 1997 (Act No.28/1997) came into effect on 1 July 2000. Together with the Youth Justice Act 1997, which commenced in 1999, this legislation brought about significant changes in the delivery of care and protection and youth justice services in Tasmania. According to Ombudsman Tasmania (2004), the Children,…
The Children of the State Act 1918, also known as the Children’s Charter, The Children’s Act and by its full title ‘An Act to consolidate and amend Youthful Offenders, Destitute and Neglected Children’s Act, 1896’, make better provision for the Protection, Control, Maintenance, and Reformation of Neglected and Destitute Children, and for other purposes’” (Act…
The Mental Health Act 1963 with the full title ‘An Act to repeal the Mental Hospitals Act 1858, the Mental Deficiency Act 1920, and certain other enactments relating to persons suffering from mental disorder, and to make fresh provision with respect to the treatment and care of persons so suffering, and with respect to their…
The Adoption of Children Act 1968 was passed in response to the Commonwealth government’s push for model legislation to harmonise adoption law in Australia. The 1968 Act made it mandatory for an assessment of potential adoptive parents to be undertaken. It also made private adoptions illegal, making it unlawful for private individuals or unauthorised organisations…