Continuing Subversion of the Children's Court

Abstract

This article describes and assesses the Children, Youth & Families Amendment (Permanent Care and Other Matters) Act 2014 passed into law in the last months of Victoria's Napthine government just prior to its defeat in the 2014 state election. The article argues there are good reasons for concern about both the process and substance of the legislation. It is argued that this was an unusual legislative process marked by a relative absence of the lengthy process of consultation that normally precedes the introduction of important new legislation. The secrecy and intimidation characterising this process also did nothing to build public confidence let alone ensure good policymaking. It is also argued that while there were some important changes which kept faith with some recommendations made by the Protecting Victoria's Vulnerable Children Inquiry established by the Baillieu government in 2011, the legislation made some quite problematic changes.