The Adoption of Richard (a pseudonym) [2023] NSWSC 364

Supreme Court New South Wales

Medium Neutral Citation: The Adoption of Richard (a pseudonym) [2023] NSWSC 364 Hearing dates: 3 April 2023 Date of orders: 4 April 2023 Decision date: 12 April 2023 Jurisdiction: Equity - Adoptions List Before: Stevenson J Decision: The child is of Aboriginal descent; the Secretary has made reasonable inquiries for the purpose of s 34 of the Adoption Act 2000; the requirements of ss 33 and 35 of the Adoption Act 2000 are satisfied Catchwords: CHILD WELFARE – Adoption – Aboriginal child placement principles – whether Aboriginal child has been placed for adoption – relationship between ss 33 to 35 of the Adoption Act 2000 – where Aboriginal child has one Aboriginal parent and one non-Aboriginal parent – where child placed with non-Aboriginal prospective adoptive parents – where child now 18 years of age CHILD WELFARE – Adoption – Aboriginal child placement principles – whether placement of child has satisfied consultation requirements under s 33 of the Adoption Act 2000 Legislation Cited: Adoption Act 2000 (NSW) Adoption Regulation 2015 (NSW) Cases Cited: The Adoption of Edward (a pseudonym) [2022] NSWSC 1488 The Adoption of Mary (a pseudonym) and Michael (a pseudonym) [2023] NSWSC 149 Category: Procedural rulings Parties: Secretary, New South Wales Department of Communities and Justice (Plaintiff) "Jane" (a pseudonym) (Defendant) Representation: Solicitors: Crown Solicitor's Office (Plaintiff) Defendant (self-represented) File Number(s): 2022/368016 Publication restriction: This judgment has been anonymised pursuant to s 180 of the Adoption Act 2000 (NSW)