Johannesburg - Australia and South Africa have launched a new programme to help Australian families adopt South African children.
Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott announced the programme on Monday, as part of an initiative to remove bureaucratic barriers to adoption by Australian families.
Australia’s high commissioner to South Africa, Graeme Wilson, welcomed the programme.
“Like South Africans, Australians are a generous and compassionate people, and South African children will be well cared for by their adoptive Australian families,” he said.
“Australia looks forward to working with South Africa and the designated child protection organisation – Cape Town Child Welfare Society – to facilitate the placement of children in need of intercountry adoption.”
Niresh Ramklass, chief executive of the society, welcomed the announcement and said his organisation “looked forward to working with Australia on the singularly important task of finding caring families to adopt South African children”.
Abbott had said South Africa had 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.
“The government will introduce amendments to the Australian Citizenship Act so that obtaining Australian citizenship can happen in a child’s country of origin. We will also fix problems associated with the visa system.” - Independent Foreign Editor