MPs divided in fiery debate over new child safety laws for South Australia

The South Australian government has declared it may abandon new child safety laws over one key point.

Draft child safety laws that have taken years to develop would be abandoned by the state government if it is forced to compromise on a key point.

The government wants the top priority of the new Children and Young People (Safety and Support) Bill to be ensuring children “are safe and protected from harm”.

However, a coalition of advocates and MPs wants this changed to the “best interests” of a child, which would also include their desires, emotional wellbeing and connection with family.

A vote on the definition is looming and on Tuesday government ministers confirmed that if the focus is shifted from safety they will not pursue the Bill – which makes a raft of other changes.

This would mean reverting to laws passed in 2017 which all parties agree need major updating.

Opposition MP Laura Henderson. Picture: Supplied

Child Protection Minister Katrine Hildyard. Picture: NewsWire / Roy VanDerVegt

Opposition MP Laura Henderson has accused the government of putting its “head in the sand” and “choosing not to listen to the feedback of the experts”.

However, a government spokesman called on the opposition “to stop playing political games, back children’s safety and back these important reforms”.

The proposed new laws, which underwent extensive consultation, will cover every child in SA, from those at risk of harm in their homes to those already living in state care.

Two children’s commissioners, the guardian for children in care, MPs and a string of welfare and legal organisations have lobbied the government to change to best interests, but Child Protection Minister Katrine Hildyard has declared she will “not back away at all” from keeping safety as the top priority.

Representing Ms Hildyard during debate in parliament on Tuesday fellow Minister Clare Scriven confirmed the government “will not be working under a framework that does not prioritise children’s safety”.

She made the declaration in response to a question from Opposition MP Laura Henderson about whether, if MPs voted to shift to a child’s best interests, the government would “no longer pursue this legislation and return to the 2017 legislation”.

Originally published as MPs divided in fiery debate over new child safety laws for South Australia