The Community Welfare Act 1983 (Act No. 76/1983) was assented to on 28 November 1983 and commenced on 20 April 1984. It was repealed by the Care and Protection of Children Act 2007 (Act no. 37/2007) on 8 December 2008. The Community Welfare Act 1983 introduced the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle. To act in accordance with the welfare of the child the Minister was expected to take this principle into account and, where possible, arrange custody within the child’s extended family.
The Community Welfare Act 1983 established a new Family Matters Court in the NT.
The Community Welfare Act was introduced at the same time as the Juvenile Justice Act 1983 – these laws marked a change in philosophy separating the criminal and welfare jurisdictions relating to young people in the Northern Territory.
From
1984
To
2008
Alternative Names
Community Welfare Ordinance 1983
URL