The Community Welfare Act 1987 (52/1987) was a significant revision of existing child welfare legislation and the Community Welfare Act 1982. It followed a number of Reports and Inquiries around Australia and the world. It is the Act that controls the functions of the Minister for community welfare and social development and some of the functions of the Department. It came as part of a block of legislation, with the Child (Care and Protection) Bill and the Children’s Court Act 1987. This legislation has been Amended many times. In 2015 this legislation was current.
The Community Welfare Act 1987 was passed after the Miscellaneous Acts (Community Welfare) Repeal and Amendment Act 1987 cleared away existing child welfare legislation.
According to ‘To Remove and Protect’, the objects of this legislation had positive benefits for Aboriginal children in child welfare systems. This Act included clauses intended to promote the welfare of Aborigines on the basis of a recognition of Aboriginal culture, identity, community structures and standards, the rights of Aborigines to raise and protect their own children and to be involved in decision-making processes that affect them and their children. It enshrined the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle.