It will be quicker and cheaper to adopt children from overseas with the creation of a new federal agency, Prime Minister Tony Abbott says.
The agency will introduce uniform national rules for overseas adoptions, which currently differ from state-to-state, and reduce the average waiting period of about five years.
"The idea is we will make it easier and significantly less costly for Australians to adopt from overseas," Mr Abbott told Channel Nine on Monday.
"Without pretending that everything is going to be easy, I hope this is significant new hope for parents without children and significant hope for children without parents," Mr Abbott said.
He also announced there would be a new program with South Africa which opens that country up to adoption.
"This is a new program. We haven't had it before. This means that the potential for overseas adoption is somewhat greater today than it was yesterday," Mr Abbott said.
"A new intercountry adoption programme between Australia and South Africa is now in place.
"South Africa has a strong commitment to finding families within its borders to care for children in need. Where, for whatever reason, a South African family cannot be found, Australian families will be able to help provide permanent loving homes to South African children. Many of these children will have health needs, and would benefit from the caring environment that Australian families can provide."
Adoption campaigner Deborra-Lee Furness, who has two adopted children with husband Hugh Jackman, said she hoped programs would be established with other countries.
"Hopefully we'll move to Cambodia, Vietnam, wherever there is need for these kids," Ms Furness said.
Share
