❓ Hon. Robyn McSweeney questions the adoption process, specifically the limited choice given to relinquishing mothers and the criteria used to select prospective adoptive parents. Minister Sue Ellery provides clarification on the process and tables related documents.
AnsweredQoN 485Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
ADOPTION - CHOICE OF ADOPTIVE PARENTS
(1) Will the minister confirm that 43 couples are on the waiting list to adopt a baby in Western Australia? (2) In answer to my question asked on 19 June about how many files on prospective parents the mother was given to look at when her baby was adopted by two men, the answer was four. What is the reason behind giving a relinquishing mother only four couples to choose from when 43 were available? (3) What questions are asked of any relinquishing mother so that these four couples can be chosen for her to look at; and, if they are set questions and guidelines, will the minister table them? (4) If they are not set questions, does the minister agree that someone else other than the mother is really doing the choosing, because not all options are given? Hon SUE ELLERY
(1) Will the minister confirm that 43 couples are on the waiting list to adopt a baby in Western Australia? (2) In answer to my question asked on 19 June about how many files on prospective parents the mother was given to look at when her baby was adopted by two men, the answer was four. What is the reason behind giving a relinquishing mother only four couples to choose from when 43 were available? (3) What questions are asked of any relinquishing mother so that these four couples can be chosen for her to look at; and, if they are set questions and guidelines, will the minister table them? (4) If they are not set questions, does the minister agree that someone else other than the mother is really doing the choosing, because not all options are given? Hon SUE ELLERY
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) At present there are 43 joint, or couple, approved applicants who have expressed an interest in adopting a locally born child. (2) The question makes certain assumptions about the sex of the couple, and I will not make any comment about anything that would identify any person involved in the process. The answer to the remainder of the question is as follows. The profiles given were the best match to the criteria that the relinquishing birth parent identified for the potential parents to adopt the child. All files of approved applicants were considered in the selection of the profiles that were presented to the birth parent. The selected profiles were in accordance with the stated preferences of the birth parent. (3) Two pro forma documents are used with the birth parents to assist them in specifying their preferences for the prospective adoptive parents. It is an information-gathering process that involves several meetings. Extended family members may be involved in the process. The documents I am tabling now for the member’s information are entitled “Birth Parent’s Wishes Regarding the Adoption Plan” and “Your Wishes Regarding an Adoptive Family”. (4) Not applicable. [See paper 2842.]
(2) In answer to my question asked on 19 June about how many files on prospective parents the mother was given to look at when her baby was adopted by two men, the answer was four. What is the reason behind giving a relinquishing mother only four couples to choose from when 43 were available? (3) What questions are asked of any relinquishing mother so that these four couples can be chosen for her to look at; and, if they are set questions and guidelines, will the minister table them? (4) If they are not set questions, does the minister agree that someone else other than the mother is really doing the choosing, because not all options are given? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) At present there are 43 joint, or couple, approved applicants who have expressed an interest in adopting a locally born child. (2) The question makes certain assumptions about the sex of the couple, and I will not make any comment about anything that would identify any person involved in the process. The answer to the remainder of the question is as follows. The profiles given were the best match to the criteria that the relinquishing birth parent identified for the potential parents to adopt the child. All files of approved applicants were considered in the selection of the profiles that were presented to the birth parent. The selected profiles were in accordance with the stated preferences of the birth parent. (3) Two pro forma documents are used with the birth parents to assist them in specifying their preferences for the prospective adoptive parents. It is an information-gathering process that involves several meetings. Extended family members may be involved in the process. The documents I am tabling now for the member’s information are entitled “Birth Parent’s Wishes Regarding the Adoption Plan” and “Your Wishes Regarding an Adoptive Family”. (4) Not applicable. [See paper 2842.]
(3) What questions are asked of any relinquishing mother so that these four couples can be chosen for her to look at; and, if they are set questions and guidelines, will the minister table them? (4) If they are not set questions, does the minister agree that someone else other than the mother is really doing the choosing, because not all options are given? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) At present there are 43 joint, or couple, approved applicants who have expressed an interest in adopting a locally born child. (2) The question makes certain assumptions about the sex of the couple, and I will not make any comment about anything that would identify any person involved in the process. The answer to the remainder of the question is as follows. The profiles given were the best match to the criteria that the relinquishing birth parent identified for the potential parents to adopt the child. All files of approved applicants were considered in the selection of the profiles that were presented to the birth parent. The selected profiles were in accordance with the stated preferences of the birth parent. (3) Two pro forma documents are used with the birth parents to assist them in specifying their preferences for the prospective adoptive parents. It is an information-gathering process that involves several meetings. Extended family members may be involved in the process. The documents I am tabling now for the member’s information are entitled “Birth Parent’s Wishes Regarding the Adoption Plan” and “Your Wishes Regarding an Adoptive Family”. (4) Not applicable. [See paper 2842.]
(4) If they are not set questions, does the minister agree that someone else other than the mother is really doing the choosing, because not all options are given? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) At present there are 43 joint, or couple, approved applicants who have expressed an interest in adopting a locally born child. (2) The question makes certain assumptions about the sex of the couple, and I will not make any comment about anything that would identify any person involved in the process. The answer to the remainder of the question is as follows. The profiles given were the best match to the criteria that the relinquishing birth parent identified for the potential parents to adopt the child. All files of approved applicants were considered in the selection of the profiles that were presented to the birth parent. The selected profiles were in accordance with the stated preferences of the birth parent. (3) Two pro forma documents are used with the birth parents to assist them in specifying their preferences for the prospective adoptive parents. It is an information-gathering process that involves several meetings. Extended family members may be involved in the process. The documents I am tabling now for the member’s information are entitled “Birth Parent’s Wishes Regarding the Adoption Plan” and “Your Wishes Regarding an Adoptive Family”. (4) Not applicable. [See paper 2842.]
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) At present there are 43 joint, or couple, approved applicants who have expressed an interest in adopting a locally born child. (2) The question makes certain assumptions about the sex of the couple, and I will not make any comment about anything that would identify any person involved in the process. The answer to the remainder of the question is as follows. The profiles given were the best match to the criteria that the relinquishing birth parent identified for the potential parents to adopt the child. All files of approved applicants were considered in the selection of the profiles that were presented to the birth parent. The selected profiles were in accordance with the stated preferences of the birth parent. (3) Two pro forma documents are used with the birth parents to assist them in specifying their preferences for the prospective adoptive parents. It is an information-gathering process that involves several meetings. Extended family members may be involved in the process. The documents I am tabling now for the member’s information are entitled “Birth Parent’s Wishes Regarding the Adoption Plan” and “Your Wishes Regarding an Adoptive Family”. (4) Not applicable. [See paper 2842.]
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) At present there are 43 joint, or couple, approved applicants who have expressed an interest in adopting a locally born child. (2) The question makes certain assumptions about the sex of the couple, and I will not make any comment about anything that would identify any person involved in the process. The answer to the remainder of the question is as follows. The profiles given were the best match to the criteria that the relinquishing birth parent identified for the potential parents to adopt the child. All files of approved applicants were considered in the selection of the profiles that were presented to the birth parent. The selected profiles were in accordance with the stated preferences of the birth parent. (3) Two pro forma documents are used with the birth parents to assist them in specifying their preferences for the prospective adoptive parents. It is an information-gathering process that involves several meetings. Extended family members may be involved in the process. The documents I am tabling now for the member’s information are entitled “Birth Parent’s Wishes Regarding the Adoption Plan” and “Your Wishes Regarding an Adoptive Family”. (4) Not applicable. [See paper 2842.]
(1) At present there are 43 joint, or couple, approved applicants who have expressed an interest in adopting a locally born child. (2) The question makes certain assumptions about the sex of the couple, and I will not make any comment about anything that would identify any person involved in the process. The answer to the remainder of the question is as follows. The profiles given were the best match to the criteria that the relinquishing birth parent identified for the potential parents to adopt the child. All files of approved applicants were considered in the selection of the profiles that were presented to the birth parent. The selected profiles were in accordance with the stated preferences of the birth parent. (3) Two pro forma documents are used with the birth parents to assist them in specifying their preferences for the prospective adoptive parents. It is an information-gathering process that involves several meetings. Extended family members may be involved in the process. The documents I am tabling now for the member’s information are entitled “Birth Parent’s Wishes Regarding the Adoption Plan” and “Your Wishes Regarding an Adoptive Family”. (4) Not applicable. [See paper 2842.]
(2) The question makes certain assumptions about the sex of the couple, and I will not make any comment about anything that would identify any person involved in the process. The answer to the remainder of the question is as follows. The profiles given were the best match to the criteria that the relinquishing birth parent identified for the potential parents to adopt the child. All files of approved applicants were considered in the selection of the profiles that were presented to the birth parent. The selected profiles were in accordance with the stated preferences of the birth parent. (3) Two pro forma documents are used with the birth parents to assist them in specifying their preferences for the prospective adoptive parents. It is an information-gathering process that involves several meetings. Extended family members may be involved in the process. The documents I am tabling now for the member’s information are entitled “Birth Parent’s Wishes Regarding the Adoption Plan” and “Your Wishes Regarding an Adoptive Family”. (4) Not applicable. [See paper 2842.]
(3) Two pro forma documents are used with the birth parents to assist them in specifying their preferences for the prospective adoptive parents. It is an information-gathering process that involves several meetings. Extended family members may be involved in the process. The documents I am tabling now for the member’s information are entitled “Birth Parent’s Wishes Regarding the Adoption Plan” and “Your Wishes Regarding an Adoptive Family”. (4) Not applicable. [See paper 2842.]
(4) Not applicable. [See paper 2842.]
[See paper 2842.]
(2) In answer to my question asked on 19 June about how many files on prospective parents the mother was given to look at when her baby was adopted by two men, the answer was four. What is the reason behind giving a relinquishing mother only four couples to choose from when 43 were available? (3) What questions are asked of any relinquishing mother so that these four couples can be chosen for her to look at; and, if they are set questions and guidelines, will the minister table them? (4) If they are not set questions, does the minister agree that someone else other than the mother is really doing the choosing, because not all options are given? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) At present there are 43 joint, or couple, approved applicants who have expressed an interest in adopting a locally born child. (2) The question makes certain assumptions about the sex of the couple, and I will not make any comment about anything that would identify any person involved in the process. The answer to the remainder of the question is as follows. The profiles given were the best match to the criteria that the relinquishing birth parent identified for the potential parents to adopt the child. All files of approved applicants were considered in the selection of the profiles that were presented to the birth parent. The selected profiles were in accordance with the stated preferences of the birth parent. (3) Two pro forma documents are used with the birth parents to assist them in specifying their preferences for the prospective adoptive parents. It is an information-gathering process that involves several meetings. Extended family members may be involved in the process. The documents I am tabling now for the member’s information are entitled “Birth Parent’s Wishes Regarding the Adoption Plan” and “Your Wishes Regarding an Adoptive Family”. (4) Not applicable. [See paper 2842.]
(3) What questions are asked of any relinquishing mother so that these four couples can be chosen for her to look at; and, if they are set questions and guidelines, will the minister table them? (4) If they are not set questions, does the minister agree that someone else other than the mother is really doing the choosing, because not all options are given? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) At present there are 43 joint, or couple, approved applicants who have expressed an interest in adopting a locally born child. (2) The question makes certain assumptions about the sex of the couple, and I will not make any comment about anything that would identify any person involved in the process. The answer to the remainder of the question is as follows. The profiles given were the best match to the criteria that the relinquishing birth parent identified for the potential parents to adopt the child. All files of approved applicants were considered in the selection of the profiles that were presented to the birth parent. The selected profiles were in accordance with the stated preferences of the birth parent. (3) Two pro forma documents are used with the birth parents to assist them in specifying their preferences for the prospective adoptive parents. It is an information-gathering process that involves several meetings. Extended family members may be involved in the process. The documents I am tabling now for the member’s information are entitled “Birth Parent’s Wishes Regarding the Adoption Plan” and “Your Wishes Regarding an Adoptive Family”. (4) Not applicable. [See paper 2842.]
(4) If they are not set questions, does the minister agree that someone else other than the mother is really doing the choosing, because not all options are given? Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) At present there are 43 joint, or couple, approved applicants who have expressed an interest in adopting a locally born child. (2) The question makes certain assumptions about the sex of the couple, and I will not make any comment about anything that would identify any person involved in the process. The answer to the remainder of the question is as follows. The profiles given were the best match to the criteria that the relinquishing birth parent identified for the potential parents to adopt the child. All files of approved applicants were considered in the selection of the profiles that were presented to the birth parent. The selected profiles were in accordance with the stated preferences of the birth parent. (3) Two pro forma documents are used with the birth parents to assist them in specifying their preferences for the prospective adoptive parents. It is an information-gathering process that involves several meetings. Extended family members may be involved in the process. The documents I am tabling now for the member’s information are entitled “Birth Parent’s Wishes Regarding the Adoption Plan” and “Your Wishes Regarding an Adoptive Family”. (4) Not applicable. [See paper 2842.]
Hon SUE ELLERY replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) At present there are 43 joint, or couple, approved applicants who have expressed an interest in adopting a locally born child. (2) The question makes certain assumptions about the sex of the couple, and I will not make any comment about anything that would identify any person involved in the process. The answer to the remainder of the question is as follows. The profiles given were the best match to the criteria that the relinquishing birth parent identified for the potential parents to adopt the child. All files of approved applicants were considered in the selection of the profiles that were presented to the birth parent. The selected profiles were in accordance with the stated preferences of the birth parent. (3) Two pro forma documents are used with the birth parents to assist them in specifying their preferences for the prospective adoptive parents. It is an information-gathering process that involves several meetings. Extended family members may be involved in the process. The documents I am tabling now for the member’s information are entitled “Birth Parent’s Wishes Regarding the Adoption Plan” and “Your Wishes Regarding an Adoptive Family”. (4) Not applicable. [See paper 2842.]
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) At present there are 43 joint, or couple, approved applicants who have expressed an interest in adopting a locally born child. (2) The question makes certain assumptions about the sex of the couple, and I will not make any comment about anything that would identify any person involved in the process. The answer to the remainder of the question is as follows. The profiles given were the best match to the criteria that the relinquishing birth parent identified for the potential parents to adopt the child. All files of approved applicants were considered in the selection of the profiles that were presented to the birth parent. The selected profiles were in accordance with the stated preferences of the birth parent. (3) Two pro forma documents are used with the birth parents to assist them in specifying their preferences for the prospective adoptive parents. It is an information-gathering process that involves several meetings. Extended family members may be involved in the process. The documents I am tabling now for the member’s information are entitled “Birth Parent’s Wishes Regarding the Adoption Plan” and “Your Wishes Regarding an Adoptive Family”. (4) Not applicable. [See paper 2842.]
(1) At present there are 43 joint, or couple, approved applicants who have expressed an interest in adopting a locally born child. (2) The question makes certain assumptions about the sex of the couple, and I will not make any comment about anything that would identify any person involved in the process. The answer to the remainder of the question is as follows. The profiles given were the best match to the criteria that the relinquishing birth parent identified for the potential parents to adopt the child. All files of approved applicants were considered in the selection of the profiles that were presented to the birth parent. The selected profiles were in accordance with the stated preferences of the birth parent. (3) Two pro forma documents are used with the birth parents to assist them in specifying their preferences for the prospective adoptive parents. It is an information-gathering process that involves several meetings. Extended family members may be involved in the process. The documents I am tabling now for the member’s information are entitled “Birth Parent’s Wishes Regarding the Adoption Plan” and “Your Wishes Regarding an Adoptive Family”. (4) Not applicable. [See paper 2842.]
(2) The question makes certain assumptions about the sex of the couple, and I will not make any comment about anything that would identify any person involved in the process. The answer to the remainder of the question is as follows. The profiles given were the best match to the criteria that the relinquishing birth parent identified for the potential parents to adopt the child. All files of approved applicants were considered in the selection of the profiles that were presented to the birth parent. The selected profiles were in accordance with the stated preferences of the birth parent. (3) Two pro forma documents are used with the birth parents to assist them in specifying their preferences for the prospective adoptive parents. It is an information-gathering process that involves several meetings. Extended family members may be involved in the process. The documents I am tabling now for the member’s information are entitled “Birth Parent’s Wishes Regarding the Adoption Plan” and “Your Wishes Regarding an Adoptive Family”. (4) Not applicable. [See paper 2842.]
(3) Two pro forma documents are used with the birth parents to assist them in specifying their preferences for the prospective adoptive parents. It is an information-gathering process that involves several meetings. Extended family members may be involved in the process. The documents I am tabling now for the member’s information are entitled “Birth Parent’s Wishes Regarding the Adoption Plan” and “Your Wishes Regarding an Adoptive Family”. (4) Not applicable. [See paper 2842.]
(4) Not applicable. [See paper 2842.]
[See paper 2842.]
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