Inter-Country adoption difficulties- Finally being looked at
Saw Bronwyn Bishop discussing this on Sunrise this morning.
:
Inquiry Into Overseas Adoptions
Bronwyn Bishop Launches New Inquiry Into Adoption of Children From Overseas
Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Family and Human Services, Bronwyn Bishop, today announced a parliamentary inquiry into the adoption of children from overseas.
Mrs Bishop said the public inquiry would examine a range of issues relevant to many Australians who for various reasons do not have their own children, or wish to adopt children from overseas.
“Adoption in Australia has changed dramatically over the past 30 years, with a huge drop in the number of children being adopted in Australia each year. In 2003-04 there were 502 adoptions in Australia, compared with 9,798 in Australian in 1970-71,†Mrs Bishop said.
It is worth noting that Australians wishing to adopt have turned their attention to overseas countries, and the processes which the states and territories undertake in this changed environment. ‘Inter-country’ child adoption is the term used for the adoption of children from countries other than Australia. In 2003-04 there were 370 inter-country adoptions, with about one-third from China and decreasing totals from South Korea, Ethiopia, Thailand, Philippines, India, Colombia and Sri Lanka.
Following the Tsunami disaster last Boxing Day, some Australians speculated there could be greater orphan adoption opportunities. However, the Adoptive Families Association publicly announced in January 2005 that it is not appropriate for children affected by war and natural disaster to be adopted overseas: “Inter-country adoption is only appropriate for children who can’t be placed in a suitable family within the country of origin,†the association stated.
Mrs Bishop said that the Committee will explore how the Australian Government can better assist Australians who are adopting or have adopted children from overseas countries (inter-country placement adoptions). The Committee invites public submissions on:
Any inconsistencies between state and territory approval processes for overseas adoptions; and
Any inconsistencies between the benefits and entitlements provided to families with their own birth children and those provided to families who have adopted children from overseas.
Further details on the inquiry, including the complete terms of reference, background documents, membership of the Committee and advice on making submissions can be obtained on the committee’s website.
A few other things she mentioned that aren't discussed in this article were:
-> looking at the length of time it takes to adopt (ie. waiting lists)
-> looking into reasons why fertility treatment must be stopped before adoption proceedings can comence
-> attempting to have arrangements with more overseas agencies (in the same existing countries, but simply more of them IYKWIM?)
-> addressing reasons for age limit differences between the various states.
-> A closer look at fees incurred, including immigration $1245 application fee, the difference in DOCS application fees from state to state ranging from $2052 in TAS up to $9,700 in NSW, etc.
Hopefully this might help sort out the current situation and make it more affordable and less stressful for people to adopt beautiful babies who otherwise are likely to have no family at all.
