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Hi Louise,
you are right, our system sucks if you want to adopt. I'm not saying that people should be forced to give up their children if they are not able to care for them, however I do not agree with the Department of Community Services giving parents as many chances as they want to destroy a child's life. The way it seems to work here is that the child gets fostered indefinately until the parent either decides to get their act together or stays in the system until they are 16 and age out. If there is abuse, the children are taken by DOCS and fostered. The parents can attend parenting classes and anger management classes and get their kids back. Basically, if you want to adopt, you have to go overseas. We do not have older child domestic adoption unless there are particularly extenuating circumstances.
Our welfare system is fantastic compared to a number of other countries. I am a lawyer and have clients who make more on welfare (and have a couple of kids with no dads) than I do (I am quite junior and do legal aid). They also are entitled to almost free travel($2.20 per trip), free medication ($3.00 per prescription) free medical treatment, free education, very cheap all day care for the children plus a parenting allowance. Parents earn more when they have more children, plus our government in a desperate bid for votes in our recent election have brought in a payment of $3000 for the birth of each child. It goes up to $5000 in another 2 years. Why would you give your child up for adoption when you are going to be paid to raise it yourself. Forgive me if i've been ranting about it. It is a touchy subject with me and it is early monday morning (which never helps)
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Lindsie
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