A revised law on child protection in Papua New Guinea will allow the courts to declare a child the responsibility of the State.
Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
The Community Development Minister Delilah Gore says the Lukautim Pikinini Act has been revised to include this provision, meaning a child could be placed in foster care to ensure their protection.
The Post Courier reports the revised law will hold parents who fail to discharge parental guidance and duties more accountable for their failures, and in exceptional cases, children may be taken into the State's care.
However, Ms Gore says the placement of children is a big challenge, saying if they can't be placed with relatives then out-of-home care centres will be used as a major service provider under the law.
