New South Wales Consolidated Acts

ADOPTION ACT 2000 - SECT 32

32 Regard to be had to cultural heritage of child

(1) In placing a child (other than an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander child) for adoption, the decision maker must take into account the culture, any disability, language and religion of the child and the principle that the child’s given name, identity, language and cultural and religious ties should, as far as possible, be preserved.

(2) Without limiting matters that may be taken into account, the decision maker must take into account whether a prospective adoptive parent of a different cultural heritage to that of the child has demonstrated the following:

(a) the capacity to assist the child to develop a healthy and positive cultural identity,

(b) knowledge of or a willingness to learn about, and teach the child about, the child’s cultural heritage,

(c) a willingness to foster links with that heritage in the child’s upbringing,

(d) the capacity to help the child if the child encounters racism or discrimination in school or the wider community.