Anthony Chisholm (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Assistant Minister for Education) Share this | Hansard source

The government has tabled amendment 33 to specify that the ICL retains the discretion to determine the timing, frequency and method of engagement with the children's best interests they are appointed to represent. So:

(32) Schedule 4, heading, page 38 (line 1), at the end of the heading, add "and Hague Convention proceedings".

(33) Schedule 4, item 2, page 38 (after line 16), after subsection 68LA(5A), insert:

(5AA) The independent children's lawyer has discretion in relation to the following matters (subject to any order or direction of the court with respect to the matter, for example under paragraph 68L(2)(b) or paragraph (5D)(b) of this section):

(a) when, how often and how meetings with the child take place;

(b) when, how often and how the child is provided with an opportunity to express views.