Northern Territory: Provisions of the legislations

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-    Aboriginals Ordinance 1911 (Cth)
To be read with Aborigines Act 1910. After the Northern Territory became a territory of the Commonwealth on 1.1.1911 all South Australian laws remained in force until altered by a Commonwealth law. Chief Protector may undertake the care, custody or control of any `aboriginal or half-caste' if in his opinion it is necessary or desirable. A protector or police officer may take `any aboriginal or half-caste' into custody if he believes that person is not being properly treated. An `aboriginal or half-caste' remaining within a prohibited area is guilty of an offence and may be removed. Repealed by Aboriginals Ordinance 1918.

-    Aboriginals Ordinance 1918
Combined the 1910 Act (SA) and the 1911 Ordinance (Cth), giving the Chief Protector wide-ranging powers over Aboriginal people. Repealed by Welfare Ordinance 1953.

-    Aboriginals Ordinance 1953 (No 2)
Amended definition of `aboriginal' to remove references to `half-castes'. Director made the legal guardian of all `aboriginals'. Director may declare a person with an `aboriginal' ancestor to be an `aboriginal' if it is in that person's `best interests' and that person requests the Director to do so. Director to keep a register of persons declared to be `aboriginals'. Repealed by Welfare Ordinance 1953.

-    Welfare Ordinance 1953-60
Director of Welfare given extensive powers over the lives of people declared to be `wards'. Although the Ordinance made no reference to Aboriginality, the exception of people eligible to vote from the class of people that could be declared to be wards meant that it could only apply to Aboriginal people. The Administrator may declare a person to be a `ward' because that person `stands in need of special care and assistance' owing to that person's `manner of living'; `inability, without assistance, adequately to manage his own affairs'; `standard of social habit and behaviour'; or `personal associations'. No person entitled to vote may be declared a ward. The Director of Welfare made the legal guardian of all wards. The Director to keep a Register of Wards. The Wards Appeal Tribunal to hear appeals against a wardship declaration. If the Director considered it to be in the best interests of the ward, a ward may be taken into custody; detained on a reserve or in an institution; or removed from one reserve or institution to another. The Administrator's authorisation required for the removal of a child under 14 years if it means removal from his/her parents. Director may make orders authorising police to enter, search and remove a child. A non-ward may not habitually live with a ward unless the non-ward is a relation. Director may order a ward not to live with another ward. A male non-ward may not live with or be in the company of a female ward after sunset. A ward may not marry without the consent of the Director. Director may manage property of wards. Repealed by Social Welfare Ordinance 1964.

-    Child Welfare Ordinance 1958
Replaced State Children's Act 1895 (SA). Similar definitions of `destitute' and `neglected' as in the 1895 Act. Director is the legal guardian of every State child to the exclusion of the child's parent or other guardian. A court may declare a child to be destitute, neglected, incorrigible or uncontrollable and commit the child to the care of the Director or another person, to be sent to an institution or released on probation. A State child who absconds from an institution or other placement is guilty of an offence. The Territory Administrator may declare a mission station, reformatory, orphanage, school, home or other establishment whether within the NT or not as an institution for the purposes of the Ordinance. A State child may be sent to a place within the Commonwealth to be placed under control, trained, educated, cared for and maintained. Repealed by Community Welfare Act 1983.

-    Welfare Ordinance 1961
Extends the definition of ward to include an Aboriginal person under the control of the Qld, WA or SA legislation entering the NT and allows for the removal of wards from the NT. If the removal of a ward would mean the separation of a child under 14 years from his/her parents or the separation of a parent from a child under the age of 15 years, then the court must be satisfied that `necessary and adequate arrangements have been made for the `maintenance, education and care of the child'. Repealed by Social Welfare Ordinance 1964.

-    Social Welfare Ordinance 1964
Restricted entry to reserves and assistance of the Department of Social Welfare to people who `in the opinion of the Director are socially or economically in need of assistance'. A welfare officer can suspend the right of an `aboriginal' to enter or remain on a reserve. Repealed by Community Welfare Act 1983.

-    Community Welfare Act 1983
Introduced the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle for the first time in legislation in Australia. The Minister may grant assistance to a person, family or group. The Minister is to act in accordance with the welfare of the child. In making orders in relation to a child in need of care the court must take account of the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle.

-    Adoption of Children Act 1994
Included the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle. Recognised traditional Aboriginal marriages for the purpose of adoption. Regulations Adoption of Children Regulation 1994 - a parent may record wishes regarding the suitability of the adoptive parents and regarding access to the child or giving or receiving information about the child.

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