NEW SOUTH WALES COURT ISSUES JUDGEMENTS FOR SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITIES AND JUSTICE V/S "MARY" (NOT HER REAL NAME) CASE

Australia, April 21 -- New South Wales Land and Environment Court issued text of the following judgement on March 21:

1. These proceedings concern the adoption of a child who I will call "Sarah", aged ten years old. [1]

2. By Summons filed on 25 June 2024, the Secretary, Department of Communities and Justice ('Secretary') seeks the following orders:

1) that pursuant to section 67(1)(d) of the Adoption Act 2000 (NSW) ('Adoption Act'), the Court dispense with the requirement for the consent of Sarah's birth mother, who I will call "Mary";

2) that pursuant to section 67(1)(d) of the Adoption Act, the Court dispense with the requirement for the consent of Sarah's birth father, who I will call "Roger";

3) an order for the adoption of Sarah...