Canberra Liberal optimistic on adoption future

The Canberra Liberals are cautiously optimistic that domestic adoptions in the ACT may soon be completed in a timely manner now that a government report, ‘Review of the Domestic Adoption Process in the ACT,’ offers clear recommendations for making this happen, Shadow Minister for Families, Youth and Community Services Elizabeth Kikkert said today.

“The domestic adoption process in the ACT has been filled with needless delays. I have spoken with constituents who have spent as long as three years trying to navigate the system and all its inefficiencies,” Mrs Kikkert said.

“Among other problems, these people have been required to provide the same information dozens of times to various government agencies that seem to have no ability to communicate with each other.

“The Canberra Liberals have tried for two years to persuade the ACT government to guarantee that domestic adoptions occur in a timely manner. Thankfully, last year the Assembly agreed to the creation of a taskforce to look into the issue.

“The taskforce report identifies many of the same problems that constituents have already shared with us and offers four recommendations. These changes are important for the children involved, who we know are harmed when they lack the security of permanency.”

“We now hope that the government will actually accept and implement these recommendations,” Mrs Kikkert concluded.