Australian Adoption “Breakthrough” for Families Seeking to Adopt Overseas Children

“PRIME Minister Tony Abbott will slash adoption red tape in Australia, take full control of overseas adoption from the states and opening discussions with Vietnam, Kenya, Bulgaria, Latvia, Poland, the US and Cambodia.

After joining forces with actor Deborra-Lee Furness and her husband Hugh Jackman to champion adoption reform, Mr Abbott promised action within 12 months.

Mr Abbott will announce tomorrow the government’s response to a major report of the interdepartmental committee on inter-country adoption, which calls for governments to cut costs, waiting time and uncertain outcomes.

It will include plans to streamline the complex application process for prospective parents and slash red tape.

The Prime Minister will then put the reform agenda to state premiers on Friday at the Council of Australian Governments Meeting.

Australia will also open a new program with South Africa immediately and work to open discussions with Kenya, Bulgaria, Latvia, Poland, the US, Cambodia and Vietnam.

The changes will expand previously announced changes that mean adoption orders issued in Taiwan and South Korea can now be recognised automatically in Australia.[?]

A strong supporter of adoption, Mr Abbott believed for decades that his former partner had adopted a son born out of wedlock when he was at university. But, after this became public, it was revealed the boy was the biological child of another man.

The government will look at moving to a single accredited agency (potentially an non-government organisation) to begin operating next year, a government source said.”

Adoption breakthrough for families seeking to adopt overseas children[News.com 4/26/14]

REFORM Puzzle Piece

Yes, the US really could use some help!NOT!