Australia, March 12 -- New South Wales Land and Environment Court issued text of the following judgement on Feb. 13:
1. These proceedings concern the adoption of a child who I will call "Christopher" (not the child's real name).
2. By notice of motion filed 4 February 2025, the Secretary of the New South Wales Department of Communities and Justice seeks an order, pursuant to s 67(1)(a) of the Adoption Act 2000 (NSW) (the Act), dispensing with the requirement for the consent of Christopher's father to Christopher's adoption.
3. All persons referred to have been assigned pseudonyms in keeping with s 180 of the Act.
4. I have been greatly assisted by the submissions I received from Ms Pancia for the Secretary. Much of what follows is taken...