New South Wales Consolidated Acts

ADOPTION ACT 2000 - SECT 161

161 Arrangements to confirm, cancel or vary contact veto at request of person seeking contact

(cf AI Act s 24)

(1) The Secretary may, on the Secretary's own initiative or at the request of a person who has been refused contact under a contact veto, approach the person who lodged the contact veto and ask the person whether he or she--

(a) wishes to confirm the contact veto, or

(b) wishes to cancel the contact veto, or

(c) wishes to vary the contact veto in so far as it relates to contact with the person who has made the request.

(2) The Secretary is not to approach the person who lodged the contact veto unless the Secretary is of the opinion that circumstances exist that justify the approach in order to promote the welfare and best interests of either or both of the parties concerned.

(3) The Secretary may consult any person or body that the Secretary believes may be of assistance in assessing the merits of the request.

(4) The Secretary may arrange for either or both of the parties concerned in a request under this section to be provided with such counselling as the Secretary believes is necessary to assist them and the Secretary in the matter.

(5) The Secretary must deal with a request under this section in accordance with any guidelines prescribed by the regulations.