❓ A parliamentary question scrutinises the Department of Community Development's decision to produce country-specific adoption information, questioning its impact on a non-profit organisation already providing this service and the department's adherence to its guiding principles.
AnsweredQoN 2802Legislative Assembly
Asked
4 May 2004
Member
Portfolio
Community Development, Women's Interests, Seniors and Youth
QuestionView source ↗
(1) Is the Department of Community Development producing country specific information for adoption applicants?
(2) If yes to (1), in what format is this information provided?
(3) If yes to (1), what is the cost to the Department of Community Development of producing the country specific information?
(4) If yes to (1), is the information available free of charge to adoption applicants?
(5) If yes to (1), is the Minister aware that a non-profit organisation called Adoptions International of Western Australia Inc. has produced country specific information booklets for adoption applicants since 1995?
(6) If yes to (5), why did the Minister authorise Adoption Services within her Department to duplicate a resource that is already available from a non-government organisation?
(7) Is the Minister aware that the sale of country specific information booklets by Adoptions International of Western Australia Inc (AIWA) is AIWA’s main source of income?
(8) If yes to (7), why has the Minister decided to allow the Department of Community Development to produce country specific information for free and thus deprive AIWA of its operational budget?
(9) Did the Minister consider putting the compilation and publication of country specific information out to public tender and if not, why not?
(10) Are AIWA’s correct contact details included in the information compiled as a contact for counselling, contact and mediation services, as the Adoption Resource Counselling Service’s (ARCS) details have been, given that AIWA also provides these services?
(11) If no to (10), why not?
(12) How does the Minister reconcile her Department’s guiding principles of ‘engagement’, ‘inclusiveness’, ‘collaboration’ and ‘capacity building’ with the decision to produce a resource that will impact on a non-government adoption organisation’s income and to deprive it of an opportunity to work with the Department to produce country specific information for adoption applicants?
(2) If yes to (1), in what format is this information provided?
(3) If yes to (1), what is the cost to the Department of Community Development of producing the country specific information?
(4) If yes to (1), is the information available free of charge to adoption applicants?
(5) If yes to (1), is the Minister aware that a non-profit organisation called Adoptions International of Western Australia Inc. has produced country specific information booklets for adoption applicants since 1995?
(6) If yes to (5), why did the Minister authorise Adoption Services within her Department to duplicate a resource that is already available from a non-government organisation?
(7) Is the Minister aware that the sale of country specific information booklets by Adoptions International of Western Australia Inc (AIWA) is AIWA’s main source of income?
(8) If yes to (7), why has the Minister decided to allow the Department of Community Development to produce country specific information for free and thus deprive AIWA of its operational budget?
(9) Did the Minister consider putting the compilation and publication of country specific information out to public tender and if not, why not?
(10) Are AIWA’s correct contact details included in the information compiled as a contact for counselling, contact and mediation services, as the Adoption Resource Counselling Service’s (ARCS) details have been, given that AIWA also provides these services?
(11) If no to (10), why not?
(12) How does the Minister reconcile her Department’s guiding principles of ‘engagement’, ‘inclusiveness’, ‘collaboration’ and ‘capacity building’ with the decision to produce a resource that will impact on a non-government adoption organisation’s income and to deprive it of an opportunity to work with the Department to produce country specific information for adoption applicants?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
2 June 2004
Responded by
Minister for Community Development, Women's Interests, Seniors and Youth
Response time
29 days
(2) PDF format for the Department for Community Development website when ready and hard copy in A4 format for people without access to the web. (3) The material is being prepared at no additional cost. (4) Yes. (5) Yes. (6) Section 37 of the Adoption Act 1994 states that … ‘ The Director General is to provide persons contemplating adoptive parenthood with oral and written information about, and counselling in relation to, adoption ’ It is not appropriate for a third party, such as a non government organisation, to be the only source for important information about the Department’s adoption procedures in relation to specific overseas countries. Applicants require the most up to date and accurate information. Departmental staff are in frequent contact with overseas adoption programs. It is more effective for the Department to be able to make quick changes to the guide and place this on the web site than to explain changes to a third party, have the third party amend a document, and then pay the third party for the service. (7) I am aware that it is one service that is offered as part of a package and for a fee. (8) It is not the responsibility of government departments to make policy decisions primarily on the basis of providing revenue raising opportunities for other organisations. It is appropriate that the Department arranging adoptions publish the procedures it uses to conduct its own services. (9) See response to question 6. (10) Every effort is made to ensure that information provided by the Department about all adoption organisations is represented fairly and without any bias. If the Member for Churchlands is aware of any incorrect details they should be brought to the attention of the Department. (11) Not applicable. (12) See response to question 6.
(3) The material is being prepared at no additional cost. (4) Yes. (5) Yes. (6) Section 37 of the Adoption Act 1994 states that … ‘ The Director General is to provide persons contemplating adoptive parenthood with oral and written information about, and counselling in relation to, adoption ’ It is not appropriate for a third party, such as a non government organisation, to be the only source for important information about the Department’s adoption procedures in relation to specific overseas countries. Applicants require the most up to date and accurate information. Departmental staff are in frequent contact with overseas adoption programs. It is more effective for the Department to be able to make quick changes to the guide and place this on the web site than to explain changes to a third party, have the third party amend a document, and then pay the third party for the service. (7) I am aware that it is one service that is offered as part of a package and for a fee. (8) It is not the responsibility of government departments to make policy decisions primarily on the basis of providing revenue raising opportunities for other organisations. It is appropriate that the Department arranging adoptions publish the procedures it uses to conduct its own services. (9) See response to question 6. (10) Every effort is made to ensure that information provided by the Department about all adoption organisations is represented fairly and without any bias. If the Member for Churchlands is aware of any incorrect details they should be brought to the attention of the Department. (11) Not applicable. (12) See response to question 6.
(4) Yes. (5) Yes. (6) Section 37 of the Adoption Act 1994 states that … ‘ The Director General is to provide persons contemplating adoptive parenthood with oral and written information about, and counselling in relation to, adoption ’ It is not appropriate for a third party, such as a non government organisation, to be the only source for important information about the Department’s adoption procedures in relation to specific overseas countries. Applicants require the most up to date and accurate information. Departmental staff are in frequent contact with overseas adoption programs. It is more effective for the Department to be able to make quick changes to the guide and place this on the web site than to explain changes to a third party, have the third party amend a document, and then pay the third party for the service. (7) I am aware that it is one service that is offered as part of a package and for a fee. (8) It is not the responsibility of government departments to make policy decisions primarily on the basis of providing revenue raising opportunities for other organisations. It is appropriate that the Department arranging adoptions publish the procedures it uses to conduct its own services. (9) See response to question 6. (10) Every effort is made to ensure that information provided by the Department about all adoption organisations is represented fairly and without any bias. If the Member for Churchlands is aware of any incorrect details they should be brought to the attention of the Department. (11) Not applicable. (12) See response to question 6.
(5) Yes. (6) Section 37 of the Adoption Act 1994 states that … ‘ The Director General is to provide persons contemplating adoptive parenthood with oral and written information about, and counselling in relation to, adoption ’ It is not appropriate for a third party, such as a non government organisation, to be the only source for important information about the Department’s adoption procedures in relation to specific overseas countries. Applicants require the most up to date and accurate information. Departmental staff are in frequent contact with overseas adoption programs. It is more effective for the Department to be able to make quick changes to the guide and place this on the web site than to explain changes to a third party, have the third party amend a document, and then pay the third party for the service. (7) I am aware that it is one service that is offered as part of a package and for a fee. (8) It is not the responsibility of government departments to make policy decisions primarily on the basis of providing revenue raising opportunities for other organisations. It is appropriate that the Department arranging adoptions publish the procedures it uses to conduct its own services. (9) See response to question 6. (10) Every effort is made to ensure that information provided by the Department about all adoption organisations is represented fairly and without any bias. If the Member for Churchlands is aware of any incorrect details they should be brought to the attention of the Department. (11) Not applicable. (12) See response to question 6.
(6) Section 37 of the Adoption Act 1994 states that … ‘ The Director General is to provide persons contemplating adoptive parenthood with oral and written information about, and counselling in relation to, adoption ’ It is not appropriate for a third party, such as a non government organisation, to be the only source for important information about the Department’s adoption procedures in relation to specific overseas countries. Applicants require the most up to date and accurate information. Departmental staff are in frequent contact with overseas adoption programs. It is more effective for the Department to be able to make quick changes to the guide and place this on the web site than to explain changes to a third party, have the third party amend a document, and then pay the third party for the service. (7) I am aware that it is one service that is offered as part of a package and for a fee. (8) It is not the responsibility of government departments to make policy decisions primarily on the basis of providing revenue raising opportunities for other organisations. It is appropriate that the Department arranging adoptions publish the procedures it uses to conduct its own services. (9) See response to question 6. (10) Every effort is made to ensure that information provided by the Department about all adoption organisations is represented fairly and without any bias. If the Member for Churchlands is aware of any incorrect details they should be brought to the attention of the Department. (11) Not applicable. (12) See response to question 6.
It is not appropriate for a third party, such as a non government organisation, to be the only source for important information about the Department’s adoption procedures in relation to specific overseas countries. Applicants require the most up to date and accurate information. Departmental staff are in frequent contact with overseas adoption programs. It is more effective for the Department to be able to make quick changes to the guide and place this on the web site than to explain changes to a third party, have the third party amend a document, and then pay the third party for the service. (7) I am aware that it is one service that is offered as part of a package and for a fee. (8) It is not the responsibility of government departments to make policy decisions primarily on the basis of providing revenue raising opportunities for other organisations. It is appropriate that the Department arranging adoptions publish the procedures it uses to conduct its own services. (9) See response to question 6. (10) Every effort is made to ensure that information provided by the Department about all adoption organisations is represented fairly and without any bias. If the Member for Churchlands is aware of any incorrect details they should be brought to the attention of the Department. (11) Not applicable. (12) See response to question 6.
Applicants require the most up to date and accurate information. Departmental staff are in frequent contact with overseas adoption programs. It is more effective for the Department to be able to make quick changes to the guide and place this on the web site than to explain changes to a third party, have the third party amend a document, and then pay the third party for the service. (7) I am aware that it is one service that is offered as part of a package and for a fee. (8) It is not the responsibility of government departments to make policy decisions primarily on the basis of providing revenue raising opportunities for other organisations. It is appropriate that the Department arranging adoptions publish the procedures it uses to conduct its own services. (9) See response to question 6. (10) Every effort is made to ensure that information provided by the Department about all adoption organisations is represented fairly and without any bias. If the Member for Churchlands is aware of any incorrect details they should be brought to the attention of the Department. (11) Not applicable. (12) See response to question 6.
(7) I am aware that it is one service that is offered as part of a package and for a fee. (8) It is not the responsibility of government departments to make policy decisions primarily on the basis of providing revenue raising opportunities for other organisations. It is appropriate that the Department arranging adoptions publish the procedures it uses to conduct its own services. (9) See response to question 6. (10) Every effort is made to ensure that information provided by the Department about all adoption organisations is represented fairly and without any bias. If the Member for Churchlands is aware of any incorrect details they should be brought to the attention of the Department. (11) Not applicable. (12) See response to question 6.
(8) It is not the responsibility of government departments to make policy decisions primarily on the basis of providing revenue raising opportunities for other organisations. It is appropriate that the Department arranging adoptions publish the procedures it uses to conduct its own services. (9) See response to question 6. (10) Every effort is made to ensure that information provided by the Department about all adoption organisations is represented fairly and without any bias. If the Member for Churchlands is aware of any incorrect details they should be brought to the attention of the Department. (11) Not applicable. (12) See response to question 6.
It is appropriate that the Department arranging adoptions publish the procedures it uses to conduct its own services. (9) See response to question 6. (10) Every effort is made to ensure that information provided by the Department about all adoption organisations is represented fairly and without any bias. If the Member for Churchlands is aware of any incorrect details they should be brought to the attention of the Department. (11) Not applicable. (12) See response to question 6.
(9) See response to question 6. (10) Every effort is made to ensure that information provided by the Department about all adoption organisations is represented fairly and without any bias. If the Member for Churchlands is aware of any incorrect details they should be brought to the attention of the Department. (11) Not applicable. (12) See response to question 6.
(10) Every effort is made to ensure that information provided by the Department about all adoption organisations is represented fairly and without any bias. If the Member for Churchlands is aware of any incorrect details they should be brought to the attention of the Department. (11) Not applicable. (12) See response to question 6.
(11) Not applicable. (12) See response to question 6.
(12) See response to question 6.
(3) The material is being prepared at no additional cost. (4) Yes. (5) Yes. (6) Section 37 of the Adoption Act 1994 states that … ‘ The Director General is to provide persons contemplating adoptive parenthood with oral and written information about, and counselling in relation to, adoption ’ It is not appropriate for a third party, such as a non government organisation, to be the only source for important information about the Department’s adoption procedures in relation to specific overseas countries. Applicants require the most up to date and accurate information. Departmental staff are in frequent contact with overseas adoption programs. It is more effective for the Department to be able to make quick changes to the guide and place this on the web site than to explain changes to a third party, have the third party amend a document, and then pay the third party for the service. (7) I am aware that it is one service that is offered as part of a package and for a fee. (8) It is not the responsibility of government departments to make policy decisions primarily on the basis of providing revenue raising opportunities for other organisations. It is appropriate that the Department arranging adoptions publish the procedures it uses to conduct its own services. (9) See response to question 6. (10) Every effort is made to ensure that information provided by the Department about all adoption organisations is represented fairly and without any bias. If the Member for Churchlands is aware of any incorrect details they should be brought to the attention of the Department. (11) Not applicable. (12) See response to question 6.
(4) Yes. (5) Yes. (6) Section 37 of the Adoption Act 1994 states that … ‘ The Director General is to provide persons contemplating adoptive parenthood with oral and written information about, and counselling in relation to, adoption ’ It is not appropriate for a third party, such as a non government organisation, to be the only source for important information about the Department’s adoption procedures in relation to specific overseas countries. Applicants require the most up to date and accurate information. Departmental staff are in frequent contact with overseas adoption programs. It is more effective for the Department to be able to make quick changes to the guide and place this on the web site than to explain changes to a third party, have the third party amend a document, and then pay the third party for the service. (7) I am aware that it is one service that is offered as part of a package and for a fee. (8) It is not the responsibility of government departments to make policy decisions primarily on the basis of providing revenue raising opportunities for other organisations. It is appropriate that the Department arranging adoptions publish the procedures it uses to conduct its own services. (9) See response to question 6. (10) Every effort is made to ensure that information provided by the Department about all adoption organisations is represented fairly and without any bias. If the Member for Churchlands is aware of any incorrect details they should be brought to the attention of the Department. (11) Not applicable. (12) See response to question 6.
(5) Yes. (6) Section 37 of the Adoption Act 1994 states that … ‘ The Director General is to provide persons contemplating adoptive parenthood with oral and written information about, and counselling in relation to, adoption ’ It is not appropriate for a third party, such as a non government organisation, to be the only source for important information about the Department’s adoption procedures in relation to specific overseas countries. Applicants require the most up to date and accurate information. Departmental staff are in frequent contact with overseas adoption programs. It is more effective for the Department to be able to make quick changes to the guide and place this on the web site than to explain changes to a third party, have the third party amend a document, and then pay the third party for the service. (7) I am aware that it is one service that is offered as part of a package and for a fee. (8) It is not the responsibility of government departments to make policy decisions primarily on the basis of providing revenue raising opportunities for other organisations. It is appropriate that the Department arranging adoptions publish the procedures it uses to conduct its own services. (9) See response to question 6. (10) Every effort is made to ensure that information provided by the Department about all adoption organisations is represented fairly and without any bias. If the Member for Churchlands is aware of any incorrect details they should be brought to the attention of the Department. (11) Not applicable. (12) See response to question 6.
(6) Section 37 of the Adoption Act 1994 states that … ‘ The Director General is to provide persons contemplating adoptive parenthood with oral and written information about, and counselling in relation to, adoption ’ It is not appropriate for a third party, such as a non government organisation, to be the only source for important information about the Department’s adoption procedures in relation to specific overseas countries. Applicants require the most up to date and accurate information. Departmental staff are in frequent contact with overseas adoption programs. It is more effective for the Department to be able to make quick changes to the guide and place this on the web site than to explain changes to a third party, have the third party amend a document, and then pay the third party for the service. (7) I am aware that it is one service that is offered as part of a package and for a fee. (8) It is not the responsibility of government departments to make policy decisions primarily on the basis of providing revenue raising opportunities for other organisations. It is appropriate that the Department arranging adoptions publish the procedures it uses to conduct its own services. (9) See response to question 6. (10) Every effort is made to ensure that information provided by the Department about all adoption organisations is represented fairly and without any bias. If the Member for Churchlands is aware of any incorrect details they should be brought to the attention of the Department. (11) Not applicable. (12) See response to question 6.
It is not appropriate for a third party, such as a non government organisation, to be the only source for important information about the Department’s adoption procedures in relation to specific overseas countries. Applicants require the most up to date and accurate information. Departmental staff are in frequent contact with overseas adoption programs. It is more effective for the Department to be able to make quick changes to the guide and place this on the web site than to explain changes to a third party, have the third party amend a document, and then pay the third party for the service. (7) I am aware that it is one service that is offered as part of a package and for a fee. (8) It is not the responsibility of government departments to make policy decisions primarily on the basis of providing revenue raising opportunities for other organisations. It is appropriate that the Department arranging adoptions publish the procedures it uses to conduct its own services. (9) See response to question 6. (10) Every effort is made to ensure that information provided by the Department about all adoption organisations is represented fairly and without any bias. If the Member for Churchlands is aware of any incorrect details they should be brought to the attention of the Department. (11) Not applicable. (12) See response to question 6.
Applicants require the most up to date and accurate information. Departmental staff are in frequent contact with overseas adoption programs. It is more effective for the Department to be able to make quick changes to the guide and place this on the web site than to explain changes to a third party, have the third party amend a document, and then pay the third party for the service. (7) I am aware that it is one service that is offered as part of a package and for a fee. (8) It is not the responsibility of government departments to make policy decisions primarily on the basis of providing revenue raising opportunities for other organisations. It is appropriate that the Department arranging adoptions publish the procedures it uses to conduct its own services. (9) See response to question 6. (10) Every effort is made to ensure that information provided by the Department about all adoption organisations is represented fairly and without any bias. If the Member for Churchlands is aware of any incorrect details they should be brought to the attention of the Department. (11) Not applicable. (12) See response to question 6.
(7) I am aware that it is one service that is offered as part of a package and for a fee. (8) It is not the responsibility of government departments to make policy decisions primarily on the basis of providing revenue raising opportunities for other organisations. It is appropriate that the Department arranging adoptions publish the procedures it uses to conduct its own services. (9) See response to question 6. (10) Every effort is made to ensure that information provided by the Department about all adoption organisations is represented fairly and without any bias. If the Member for Churchlands is aware of any incorrect details they should be brought to the attention of the Department. (11) Not applicable. (12) See response to question 6.
(8) It is not the responsibility of government departments to make policy decisions primarily on the basis of providing revenue raising opportunities for other organisations. It is appropriate that the Department arranging adoptions publish the procedures it uses to conduct its own services. (9) See response to question 6. (10) Every effort is made to ensure that information provided by the Department about all adoption organisations is represented fairly and without any bias. If the Member for Churchlands is aware of any incorrect details they should be brought to the attention of the Department. (11) Not applicable. (12) See response to question 6.
It is appropriate that the Department arranging adoptions publish the procedures it uses to conduct its own services. (9) See response to question 6. (10) Every effort is made to ensure that information provided by the Department about all adoption organisations is represented fairly and without any bias. If the Member for Churchlands is aware of any incorrect details they should be brought to the attention of the Department. (11) Not applicable. (12) See response to question 6.
(9) See response to question 6. (10) Every effort is made to ensure that information provided by the Department about all adoption organisations is represented fairly and without any bias. If the Member for Churchlands is aware of any incorrect details they should be brought to the attention of the Department. (11) Not applicable. (12) See response to question 6.
(10) Every effort is made to ensure that information provided by the Department about all adoption organisations is represented fairly and without any bias. If the Member for Churchlands is aware of any incorrect details they should be brought to the attention of the Department. (11) Not applicable. (12) See response to question 6.
(11) Not applicable. (12) See response to question 6.
(12) See response to question 6.
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