Foster carers say NT child protection laws put families before children's safety

Foster carers in Australia's Northern Territory are voicing strong support for proposed changes to child protection laws, arguing that the current system prioritizes the interests of families over the safety and well-being of children. The Foster and Kinship Carers Association NT (FKCANT) was among 15 non-government organizations that provided evidence during public hearings for the Country Liberal Party (CLP) government's child protection bill.

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From what we've observed, sometimes … they choose culture over safety.

Amanda Thompson, CEO of FKCANT, stated that in her observation, "sometimes … they choose culture over safety." She believes that the current legislation does not adequately acknowledge the importance of safety. Jackie Williams, a foster carer with 17 years of experience and an FKCANT board member, echoed this sentiment, sharing her experience that "the child is not first" when families are prioritized. "We need to go back to the safety of the child," she urged.

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I don't think safety is acknowledged strongly in current legislation.

During the hearings, FKCANT representatives highlighted the desire of children in foster care for long-term stability. They noted instances where children were moved from long-term carers to be reunited with their biological families, only to be returned to foster care following allegations of abuse. Foster carer Steve Atherton described the profound impact of these transitions, stating, "They're moving from a stable household … and then, if that breaks down, they are moving somewhere else that they don't know and are going through it all again."

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When a child comes into care, their family's put first, and that's been my experience for 17 years, that the child is not first.

Atherton shared a heartbreaking account of a young girl in his care for four years who still experiences nightly fear. "She's still scared, asking me what time the bad people come out at night-time, it's heartbreaking," he said. The article also notes that the Northern Territory's first female barrister, Sally Gearin, supports the bill, although the proposed changes have faced opposition from Indigenous groups and the NT children's commissioner.

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We need to go back to the safety of the child.