2008

LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY FOR THE 
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

ADOPTION AMENDMENT BILL 2008

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

Presented by
Vicki Dunne MLA
Shadow Attorney General

Adoption Amendment Bill 2008
Outline

The Adoption Amendment Bill 2008 would amend the Adoption Act 1993 to:
1.	Remove the requirement for a court to be satisfied there are “exceptional circumstances” to justify an adoption order for a person aged 18 years or over, while retaining the requirement that the court must be satisfied the person is of “good repute”; and
2.	Remove the prohibition on adoption orders in respect of a person who is or has been married.

Adoption Amendment Bill 2008
Detail
Clause 1 — Name of Act
The short title of the Act – Adoption Amendment Act 2008.
Clause 2 — Commencement
Provides for the Act to commence the day after it is notified on the Legislation Register.
Clause 3 — Legislation amended 
Notes that this Act amends the Adoption Act 1993.
Clause 4 — Child over 18
This clause omits paragraph 10(b) of the Act.  This paragraph requires the court to be satisfied that there are “exceptional circumstances” to justify an adoption order for a person over the age of 18 years.
Clause 5 – Married child
This clause substitutes a new section 13 to remove any doubt that an adoption order may be made for a child who is or has been married.