Parent Responsibility Bill 2010

It is proposed to make statutory provision:

• (i) for the owner of property or a person who has property in their possession to bring an action against the parent of a child where the child intentionally damages, takes or destroys property;

• (ii) for parenting orders to be made in respect of the criminal conduct and anti-social behaviour of a child;

• (iii) to impose upon a parent a duty to exercise care, supervision, protection and control over their child;

• (iv) for an offence to be created where a parent or any other person encourages or contributes to a child's criminal conduct or anti-social behaviour through acts or omissions or, where a duty to supervise a child exists, a parent or other person permits that child to commit an offence;

• (v) for a parent or any other person who commits an offence proposed in (iv) to be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding $5,000; and

• (vi) where a parent is convicted of an offence under (iv), the court may require the parent to undergo counselling or do such other things which in the opinion of the court would advance the welfare and best interests of the child instead of, or in addition to, imposing a penalty.