An alternative report on the Care of Children Bill

The Justice and Electoral Select Committee report of the Care of Children Bill is here predictably supported by just the Greens and Labour. Two hundred and seventy seven people and groups made submissions to the committee.

Many people wanted a greater openness of the Family Court, but the Committee decided against it until the newly appointed Family Court Judge made a strong submission.

About 70 percent of written submissions opposed the bill. About 55 percent of oral submissions opposed the bill, as a greater proportion of homosexual supporters of the bill made oral submissions.

One of the main sticking points for opponents was continuing to permit abortions for minors without parental consent as per the current Guardianship Act - yet a child still has to get permission to take an aspirin. More than 10 percent made submissions on just this one point alone.

to read the rest of the report go here

Key Changes Made By The Select Committee To The Care Of Children Bill

· Adding guiding principles at the beginning of the Bill, to act as guidance for parents and courts;
· More openness for Family Court proceedings;
· Greater incentives for applicants for parenting orders to cooperate;
· Inserting Court time limits to prevent delays in considering whether to make interim orders final;
· Adding incentives for guardians to cooperate; and
· Increasing checks before the new partner of a parent can be appointed a guardian.