Consultation Arrangements
Exposure Draft of the Children and Young People Bill 2007

The Children and Young People Act 1999 is the responsibility of the Minister for Disability and Community Services and the Attorney-General.  A review of the Act commenced in 2002 and has involved extensive community consultation with key community, government, legal and advocacy agencies, as well as young people.

An Exposure Draft of the Children and Young People Bill 2007 has been released for community consultation.  This Bill will repeal and replace the Children and Young People Act 1999.  

The Bill incorporates significant policy changes across the Act, particularly in the areas of:
•	Care and protection of children and young people at risk of abuse and neglect;
•	The sentencing and sentence management of children and young people who have offended;
•	The regulation of childcare services; and
•	Employment regulation for children and young people under school leaving age.

Electronic copies of the Bill and Explanatory Statement can be found at www.dhcs.act.gov.au/wac and the ACT Government Legislation Register www.legislation.act.gov.au.  For printed copies or further questions about the review, please email cypactreview@act.gov.au or phone 6205 3205.

Community members and agencies are invited to provide written comments on the Exposure Draft by 9 March 2007.  Comments should be addressed to:

CYPA Review Team
Strategic Policy and Community Engagement
Department of Disability, Housing and Community Services
GPO Box 158
Canberra  ACT  2601
Email: cypactreview@act.gov.au 	

Two information sessions on the Bill will be conducted for interested community agencies, businesses and members of the public on Thursday 8 February 2007.  To register interest to attend these sessions, please email cypactreview@act.gov.au or phone the review team on 6205 3205 by 
Friday 2 February 2007.