Ian Campbell (WA, Liberal Party, Minister for Human Services) Share this | Hansard source

The government will not be supporting the amendment. I think Senator Bartlett’s instincts are absolutely noble, but his recommendations and indeed this amendment are even broader than, for example, the Convention on the Rights of the Child, which requires that, in all actions concerning children, the best interest of the child is a primary consideration. This amendment talks about a ‘paramount’ consideration. It is not an amendment that adds to this act. Its intentions are noble, but I think it is a potentially dangerous change in the context of this act.

Question negatived.