CHILDREN'S PROTECTION (LAWFUL SURRENDER OF NEWBORN CHILD) AMENDMENT BILL

Second Reading

Adjourned debate on second reading.

(Continued from 9 February 2011.)

The Hon. D.G.E. HOOD (21:35): I am sure that it will not surprise members to hear that Family First is a strong supporter of the bill moved by the Hon. Ms Bressington. Members will be pleased to know that I have a short speech, but I just want to put on the record a few thoughts in support of this, I think, very important bill. The honourable member has noted in her introduction that this bill establishes in South Australia a regime for safely relinquishing newborn babies anonymously and legally. Naturally, the thought of giving up a baby is a horrifying thought to many, including myself. However, baby safe haven laws which are sometimes called baby Moses laws are regarded in many jurisdictions as being the only appropriate solution to the tragic plight of abandoned newborns.

Simply put, the fact that even in South Australia we have seen newborn babies abandoned and left to die is such a tragic situation that we should consider offering safe locations to leave apparently unwanted newborns so they can be cared for appropriately and offered for adoption or fostering, as the case may be.

As I have pointed out in the past, however, I believe that there is no such thing as an unwanted newborn. There are literally hundreds of prospective parents waiting for the opportunity to adopt and love a child in South Australia, many of which will never have an opportunity given that few children currently are offered for adoption for various reasons. Indeed, in 1970-71, some 879 children were legally adopted in South Australia. By 2008-09, there were only 35 finalised adoptions, and only one of those children was a so-called local child placed for adoption.

Unfortunately, abortion and short-term foster care placements are replacing adoption as an option for some. As the honourable member notes in her speech, in many countries, including Germany, Switzerland, Japan, Portugal and every state in America, as I understand it, there is some form of baby safe haven legislation in place. I believe that the Hon. Ann Bressington is correct in saying that Texas first introduced a safe haven bill back in 1998 after 13 children were abandoned in one year in that state. Indeed, 41 other states followed within five years.

According to the member, over 1,000 babies have been safely surrendered during that time, many of which may have been abandoned in unsafe circumstances otherwise. The Australian Medical Association supports the introduction of safe haven laws, and the incoming New South Wales Liberal government may be introducing laws such as this one, at least it has indicated that it will.

About a dozen babies are abandoned each year in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia combined. Unfortunately, some states do not record statistics. A baby girl was abandoned with her umbilical cord still attached in a 40 centimetre shoebox outside a city apartment block just a few months ago. In January, another baby was found in a Sydney rubbish tip wrapped in a sarong. No doubt we all still remember the story of the deceased child found in a university bin a year or so back, and I imagine that members can also recall the unfortunate abandonment of a newborn (just an hour or so old) on a driveway. I think that was in the Adelaide northern suburbs within the last 12 months.

I will not go into more details. These are horrific stories that no-one enjoys hearing, but what I will say is that this bill will fix that situation once and for all. For that reason, we wholeheartedly commend the member for introducing this bill. It will be a terrific addition to our statute book and we strongly support it.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. Carmel Zollo.