The Maintenance Act 1919 is also known by its full title "An Act to consolidate and amend 'The Deserted Wives' and Children's Maintenance Act, 1873', 'The Infant Life Protection Act, 1907' and 'The Summary Jurisdiction (Married Persons) Act, 1909', and for other purposes" (Act no.10 Geo. V No.62). This act brought together three previously separate pieces of legislation and provides guidance on the transfer of children to institutional care or apprenticeships, the maintenance of children who have been abandoned and the penalties for abandonment. In this legislation a parent who is violent, drinks heavily or has committed adultery is seen by the law as having abandoned their child and or partner. This legislation was repealed and replaced in 1922 by the Maintenance Act 1921 (Act no.12 Geo. V No.40).
1837 - 1863 Maintenance of Deserted Wives and Children 1837
1863 - 1873 Maintenance of Deserted Wives and Children 1863
1873 - 1920 Maintenance of Deserted Wives and Children 1873
1907 - 1920 Infant Life Protection Act 1907
1920 - 1922 The Maintenance Act 1919
1922 - 1968 The Maintenance Act 1921
1967 - The Maintenance Act 1967
Sources used to compile this entry: Law Research Service, Melbourne Law School, Law Library, The University of Melbourne. 'Find and Connect Project - Tasmanian Legislation', 20 January 2014, held in the project files at the University of Melbourne eScholarship Research Centre.
Prepared by: Elizabeth Daniels
Created: 17 December 2014, Last modified: 26 May 2015
Last updated: 4 August 2023
Cite this: https://www.findandconnect.gov.au/ref/tas/biogs/TE01045b.htm
First published by the Find & Connect Web Resource Project for the Commonwealth of Australia, 2011
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