Senate Community Affairs References Committee
Inquiry Into Children In Institutional Care
Terms Of Reference

On 4 March 2003 the Senate referred the following inquiry to the Senate Community Affairs References Committee.

1. That the following matters be referred to the Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 3 December 2003:

(a) in relation to any government or non-government institutions, and fostering practices, established or licensed under relevant legislation to provide care and/or education for children:

 (i) whether any unsafe, improper or unlawful care or treatment of children occurred in these institutions or places,

 (ii) whether any serious breach of any relevant statutory obligation occurred at any time when children were in care or under protection, and

 (iii) an estimate of the scale of any unsafe, improper or unlawful care or treatment of children in such institutions or places;

 (b) the extent and impact of the long-term social and economic consequences of child abuse and neglect on individuals, families and Australian society as a whole, and the adequacy of existing remedies and support mechanisms;

 (c) the nature and cause of major changes to professional practices employed in the administration and delivery of care compared with past practice;

 (d) whether there is a need for a formal acknowledgement by Australian governments of the human anguish arising from any abuse and neglect suffered by children while in care;

 (e) in cases where unsafe, improper or unlawful care or treatment ofchildren has occurred, what measures of reparation are required;

(f) whether statutory or administrative limitations or barriers adversely affect those who wish to pursue claims against perpetrators of abuse previously involved in the care of children; and

(g) the need for public, social and legal policy to be reviewed to ensure an effective and responsive framework to deal with child abuse matters in relation to:

(i) any systemic factors contributing to the occurrences of abuse and/or neglect,

(ii) any failure to detect or prevent these occurrences in government and non-government institutions and fostering practices, and

(iii) any necessary changes required in current policies, practices and reporting mechanisms.

3. In undertaking this reference, the committee is not to consider particular cases under the current adjudication of a court, tribunal or administrative body.

4. In undertaking this reference, the committee is to make witnesses and those who provide submissions aware of the scope of the inquiry, namely:

(a) explain the respective responsibilities of the Commonwealth and the states and territories in relation to child protection matters; and

(b) explain the scope of the committee's powers to make recommendations binding upon other jurisdictions in relation to the matters contained in these terms of reference.

Written submissions are invited and should be addressed to:

The Secretary
Senate Community Affairs References Committee
Suite S1 59
Parliament House
Canberra; ACT; 2600

The Committee prefers to receive submissions electronically as an attached document -
email: community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au

Submissions become Committee documents and are made public only after a decision by the Committee. Persons making submissions must not release them without the approval of the Committee. Submissions are covered by parliamentary privilege but the unauthorised release of them is not.

Following consideration of submissions, the Committee will hold public hearings. The Committee will consider all submissions and may invite individuals and organisations to give evidence at the public hearings.

Information relating to Senate Committee inquiries, including notes to assist in the preparation of submissions for a Committee, can be located on the internet at

http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/committee/wit_sub/index.htm

For further details contact the Committee Secretary,

Phone: (02) 6277 3515, Fax: (02) 6277 5829.
Email to: community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au