More than 30 Aboriginal groups and community legal centres have co-signed an open letter censuring proposed adoption laws in Australia and calling on the government to reconsider, according to this article from the Sydney Morning Herald. The proposed changes are "designed to streamline the granting of guardianship of children and help fast-track permanent adoption," creating a two year period in which birth parents can be reinstated as the primary caregiver. Aboriginal advocates fear "the legacy of these reforms will be another government apology for traumatising another generation of children."
"If you are a woman trying to escape a violent relationship, or you have been put in prison...or you live in regional or remote NSW, you are doing it tough and you don't have access to the services you need, and two years is not enough," said Community Legal Centres NSW Mark Riboldi. "Changes of this nature risk permanently severing Aboriginal children from their families, communities and culture at great danger to their development and wellbeing," said Gemma Slack-Smith, a solicitor at the Aboriginal Legal Service.