31 Jul 2011

Minister says adoption law review not top priority

5:12 pm on 31 July 2011

Justice Minister Simon Power says he is aware of the need to review current adoption laws, but he has other issues to look at first.

Labour's Youth Justice spokesperson, Jacinda Ardern, will table a Care of Children Law Reform Bill this week, which would require the Law Commission to review the laws now on the books.

The Commission would then draft a bill to replace the 56-year-old Adoption Act.

Ms Ardern says the laws need a revamp to reflect the changing views of society towards taking care of children.

But Mr Power says reviewing the Adoption Act is not high priority due to the heavy agenda in his sector.

Ms Ardern says her bill reflects the changing views of society towards taking care of children, the nuclear family and childbirth out of wedlock.