Child protections laws include:

• Children, Young Persons and Their Families Act 1997
• Magistrates Court (Children’s Division) Act 1998.

These focus on the best interests of children, and aim to make sure children are kept safe from physical or psychological harm, and are properly cared for. These acts believe:

• the primary responsibility for a child’s care and protection lies with the child’s family
• a high priority is given to supporting and helping the family carry out that primary responsibility, in preference to starting legal proceedings
• if the family is not able to meet its responsibilities to the child and the child is at risk, then the Secretary (of the Dept of Health and Human Services) may accept those responsibilities