AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY.

NEGLECTED CHILDREN AND JUVENILE OFFENDERS ORDINANCE 1949

ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE NEGLECTED CHILDREN AND JUVENILE OFFENDERS ACT.

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

No. 9 of 1949

	The proposed amendment of the Neglected Children and Juvenile Offenders Act will provide for neglected children of the Australian Capital Territory similar powers of care and protection to those now provided under the Child Welfare Act, for children of New South Wales.

	The Territory law now provides that action may be taken for the care and protection of children not provided with proper food, clothing or care and accommodation, or who beg in any public place or who live or associate with prostitutes or reputed thieves.  As added protection the amendment will enable children to be regarded as neglected, and subject to such action, if they are destitute, subject to bad associations or moral danger, or not attending at school regularly, or if their parents are not fit to retain them in their care, or if the children are under incompetent or improper guardianship.

Department of the Interior,
       Canberra.