Queensland Consolidated Acts Queensland Consolidated Acts(1) Subject to this section, an adoption order shall not be made except in favour of a husband and wife jointly.
(2) An adoption order may be made in favour of a husband and wife jointly notwithstanding that 1 of them is the natural or adoptive parent of the child concerned.
(3) Subject to subsection (4), an adoption order may be made in favour of 1 person if--
(a) that person is the spouse of the natural or adoptive parent of the child concerned; or
(b) in the case of the child concerned being a special needs child--the chief executive is of the opinion that the making of the order would be for the welfare and in the interests of the child; or
(c) in any case--the chief executive is satisfied that there are exceptional circumstances that justify making the order.
(4) Except in the case referred to in subsection (3)(a), an adoption order shall not be made in favour of 1 person if that person is married and is not living separately and apart from his or her spouse.
(5) An adoption order shall not be made in favour of a prospective adopter or of prospective adopters either of whom is a relative of the child concerned unless the chief executive is satisfied that, in the circumstances of the case, the welfare and interests of the child would be better served by such an order than by an order for guardianship or custody made by a court of competent jurisdiction in relation to the child.