CEO Can Ask Court for Child Family Orders; Fines or Jail for Breaking Family Responsibility Rules
Care and Protection of Children Legislation Amendment (Every Child Matters) Bill 2026
Introduced by: Robyn Cahill (CLP)
Links to official parliament websites
Effects of this bill
If this bill passes, it means that:
It is a criminal offence for a person to recklessly breach a family responsibility order.
The CEO must apply for a family responsibility order if they believe it is necessary for a child.
The CEO must notify parents of the order's duration and effect; they must also provide a formal notice of the court's decision.
Family responsibility agreements cannot last longer than 12 months.
Family support service operators can now be parties to family responsibility agreements.
The Authority is barred from imposing interim bars on worker screening under the Care and Protection of Children Act 2007.
Lawyers cannot represent more than one child in the same proceedings unless a court allows it.
The CEO can ask the Court to make a family responsibility order for a child if the CEO believes it is necessary.
If the CEO personally serves the order documents to a parent, the CEO must explain how long the order lasts and what it means.
The CEO must give a notice of the order to every parent involved in the proceedings as soon as possible after the Court makes the order.
Operators of family support services can now enter into family responsibility agreements.
Family responsibility agreements are capped at a maximum term of 12 months.
People who recklessly act in a way that breaks family responsibility rules face a fine or jail.
Suspensions now last for 12 months unless they are cancelled sooner.