New child protection laws with a focus on safety, set to pass SA parliament

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Child protection legislation that focuses on children's safety has secured the support needed for it to pass through the South Australian parliament despite concerns from advocates.

Transcript

00:00Shaking on changes to child protection after months of negotiations.

00:08This generational reform has been hard, but generational reform is what we should always strive toward.

00:16Across Parliament, it's agreed SA's child protection legislation needs to change,

00:21but not all agree on what should be the top priority.

00:24The government wants to prioritise safety when decisions are made about children's care,

00:29while advocates say what's in children's overall best interests needs to be the focus.

00:34We've missed the opportunity to really cement in what Australia has ratified,

00:39which is around ensuring that children's best interests are a primary consideration.

00:44Move to where we know best practice is, around the country and around the world,

00:49and that is that the best interests of the child must be paramount.

00:54But now, with support from two crossbenchers, the government's changes are set to become law.

00:58Despite recognition, not everyone will be happy.

01:02My message to them is not to let the quest for perfection become the enemy of the good.

01:08I am very, very comfortable that we have maintained safety as the priority,

01:14but also elevated best interests.

01:18Independent Frank Pangelo and Greens leader Robert Sims promise no political deals have been made for them

01:24to agree to support the bill.

01:26You know, we're talking about vulnerable children and families.

01:28This isn't a place to politicise and make deals.

01:32A promise to prioritise children over politics.

01:36The President of the United States, the Capella, in the United States,

01:38in the United States, in the United States,

01:40to support the local partners.

01:42But we're talking about the purpose.

01:44It is in a place to be prepared to be prepared to learn how to be prepared to be prepared.

01:48I cannot be prepared to be prepared to be prepared for all these forms.

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