Child Protection Act 1999, Queensland

The Child Protection Act 1999 had the full title “An Act about the protection of children, and for other purposes” (Act no.10/1999). Development of the Child Protection Act 1999 began in 1993 with the release of the Child Protection Issues Paper and an extensive statewide consultation process. The development process culminated in passage of the legislation in March 1999 and proclamation of the Act in March 2000.

The core principles of the Act in relation to child protection are:

• the welfare and best interests of the child are paramount
• the preferred way of ensuring a child’s welfare is through support of the child’s family
• intervention is not to exceed the level necessary to protect the child
• family participation in planning and decision making for children
• consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander agencies in decision-making regarding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children
• children and families have a right to information
• services are to be culturally appropriate
• coordination, consultation and collaboration with families, other professionals, agencies and the community
• accountability of the department.