ACT new adoption resources a step in the right direction

Assistant Minister for Social Services and Multicultural Affairs, Senator the Hon. Zed Seselja, today welcomed the release of new information resources by the ACT Government, aimed at simplifying the often complex domestic adoption process in the ACT and making it more accessible for everyone.

“I am pleased that the ACT Government has developed these new information resources to help Canberra families better navigate the adoption process in the ACT and create improved permanency outcomes for our children. It is a good step forward.

“I have met with dozens of Canberra families, who have spent up to 7 or 8 arduous years in the system, navigating red tape, getting nowhere, whilst children remain in the out-of-home-care system going from home to home.

“We know the facts. We know going from foster care home to foster care home is not good for children. We know foster care should be a temporary solution to children in need but evidence shows overwhelmingly that children need stability and permanency in their lives. Adoption figures in this country are woeful, so any step we can take to make this a more viable outcome for children is positive.

“While I commend the ACT Government on this step I encourage them to continue to work towards improving the adoption process by implementing timeframes for decision making and doing everything in their power to speed up the process and allow more children in the ACT to be adopted into permanent homes.

“We need all jurisdictions to be proactive and ensure they are doing everything they can to give children stability,” urged Senator Seselja

“It is now more important than ever before that all levels of government work together to make adoption a more viable pathway for children in need,” Senator Seselja concluded.