NICOLE Lawder will today call on the government to prioritise faster processing of local adoptions.

“On 15 September 2015 the Legislative Assembly debated a motion about the local adoption process. Since then I have heard from families that have been going through the adoption process who have found it to be stressful and lengthy, sentiments that are also likely felt even more so by the children themselves,” Nicole said.

“The ACT government’s new out of home care strategy, A Step Up for Our Kids, is costing approximately $39 million from 2015-2016 to 2018-2019. This strategy is not prioritising efficient and faster processing of local adoption despite that being in the best interest of the child or young person.

“My motion today will specifically ask the government what progress and action there has been in prioritising faster processing of local adoptions since September 2015 and that a report is tabled in the Legislative Assembly before the final sitting day for this term.

“I will continue to work with Canberra families to ensure that adoption is a viable option for vulnerable children and young people in our community where that is in their best interest,” Ms Lawder concluded.