Commonwealth Numbered Acts

Family Law Amendment Act 1983 No. 72 of 1983 - SECT 28

28. After section 62 of the Principal Act the following section is inserted:
Reports by court counsellors and welfare officers

''62A. (1) Where, in any proceedings under this Act, the welfare of a child
who has not attained the age of 18 years is relevant, the court may direct a
court counsellor or welfare officer to furnish to the court a report on such
matters relevant to the proceedings as the court thinks desirable and may, if
it thinks necessary, adjourn the proceedings until the report has been
furnished to the court.

''(2) A court counsellor or welfare officer may include in a report prepared
pursuant to a direction under sub-section (1), in addition to the matters
required to be included in the report, any other matters that relate to the
welfare of the child.

''(3) For the purpose of the preparation of a report by a court counsellor or
welfare officer pursuant to a direction under sub-section (1), the court may
make such orders, or give such further directions, as it considers appropriate
in relation to the preparation of the report including, if the court considers
it appropriate, orders or directions in relation to the attendance upon the
court counsellor or welfare officer of a party to the proceedings or of the
child.

''(4) If a person fails to comply with any order or direction under
sub-section (3), it is the duty of the court counsellor or welfare officer to
report the failure to the court.

''(5) Where, under sub-section (4), a court counsellor or welfare officer
reports to the court a failure of the kind referred to in that sub-section,
the court may give such further directions in relation to the preparation of
the report as the court considers appropriate.

''(6) A report furnished to the court in accordance with a direction given
under this section may be received in evidence in any proceedings under this
Act.''.