Child Protection Law

This study involves examining the reported child protection decisions in Queensland since 2007. It is an investigation into what judicial officers consider the current issues child protection law to be. From an analysis of the decisions, four important themes have emerged. First, the range of orders provided for in the Queensland legislation is not adequate to deal appropriately with all child protection matters. Second, significant power imbalances exist between parents and the Department. Third, there is some confusion as to what the standard of ‘harm’ is, and what the threshold level of ‘risk’ should be. Fourth, there is confusion regarding parents’ appeal rights. This research is currently being written-up and will be available to read in early 2017.