ACT: Extra protection for unborn babies in Canberra

AAP General News (Australia)
12-12-2006
ACT: Extra protection for unborn babies in Canberra

CANBERRA, Dec 12 AAP - The unborn babies of drug addicts will have extra protection
under new legislation presented to the ACT Legislative Assembly.

Children and Youth Minister Katy Gallagher today introduced the Children and Young
People Amendment Bill 2006 (No.2) to bring in pre-natal reporting to the Territory.

The move comes after a scathing report from a government-commissioned study, prompted
by the deaths of three children within six months this year.

The ACT government released more than 50 recommendations in September from the Murray-Mackie
study and this bill addresses one of the key findings.

If the legislation is passed, it will allow voluntary child protection reports on unborn
children.

"This legislative amendment will enable, if required, pregnant women and other family
members to receive help and support, thereby reducing the likelihood that the unborn child
will need statutory care and protection intervention after birth," Ms Gallagher said in
a statement today.

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KEYWORD: CHILD

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