Page 899 - Week 03 - Thursday, 14 April 1994
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MADAM SPEAKER, I AM PLEASED TO BE ABLE TO PRESENT THE CHILDRENS SERVICES (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994 AND THE COMMUNITY ADVOCATE (AMENDMENT) BILL 1994. THESE BILLS AMEND THE CHILDRENS SERVICES ACT 1986 AND THE COMMUNITY ADVOCATE ACT 1991 TO STRENGTHEN AND ENHANCE THE CHILD PROTECTION SYSTEM IN THE A.C.T. IN LINE WITH THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILD AND REFLECT THE IMPORTANCE THE GOVERNMENT PLACES ON CHILD PROTECTION MEASURES IN THE A.C.T.
THE BILLS ALSO CLARIFY THE ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE DIRECTOR OF FAMILY SERVICES AND THE COMMUNITY ADVOCATE IN MATTERS AFFECTING SERVICES FOR THE PROTECTION OF CHILDREN.
THERE HAS BEEN UNCERTAINTY AMONGST PRACTITIONERS IN THE CHILD PROTECTION FIELD ABOUT WHO IS THE STATUTORY OFFICER RESPONSIBLE FOR TAKING ACTION ON CHILD PROTECTION MATTERS. THIS HAS IMPEDED THE EFFICIENT DELIVERY OF CHILD PROTECTION SERVICES.
THE UNCERTAINTY HAS ARISEN BECAUSE OF THE UNCLEAR REFERENCES IN THE CHILDRENS SERVICES ACT TO THE COMMUNITY ADVOCATE AND THE DIRECTOR OF FAMILY SERVICES AND THEIR ROLES IN THE PROVISION OF THESE SERVICES.
THE COMMUNITY ADVOCATE ACT AND THE CHILDRENS SERVICES ACT
ARE CURRENTLY INTERPRETED TO GIVE THE COMMUNITY ADVOCATE A
BRIEF TO MONITOR ALL ASPECTS OF CHILD PROTECTION, TO RECEIVE
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