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I am very aware that Aboriginal communities take a keen interest in the issue of adoption,
and I understand the Aboriginal peoples of Australia have terrible memories of how they
were treated. Let there be no misunderstanding me: I will
not preside over another stolen generation. At the same time, I will not stand by while
the indigenous children of this nation are over-represented in the juvenile justice system,
are over-represented in statistics on *** assault, and account for around one third
of our out-of-home-care population. We simply must do better, because to do nothing
is to turn a blind eye to the terrible plight of too many Aboriginal kids in NSW.
These reforms do not seek to promote open adoption for Aboriginal children.
The Adoption Act already recognises adoption is not culturally acceptable, and we have
no intention of changing that. The focus will be on continuing to apply the
Aboriginal Children and Young Person Placement Principles.
Family preservation, restoration and guardianship will be the preferred permanent placement
options for Aboriginal children who are at risk of significant harm.