Australian Capital Territory Repealed Acts

This legislation has been repealed.

CHILDREN'S SERVICES ACT 1986 - SECT 139

(1)     A person shall not—

        (a)     ill-treat a child who is in the person's custody or under the person's temporary control; or

        (b)     fail, otherwise than for financial reasons, to provide adequate and proper lodging, food or clothing, or nursing, medical or dental care and attention, for a child who is in the person's custody.

Penalty: 200 penalty units, or imprisonment for 2 years, or both.

(2)     A person shall not, knowingly or recklessly, leave a child unattended in such circumstances and for such a time that the child could suffer injury or sickness or otherwise be in danger.

Penalty: 100 penalty units, or imprisonment for 12 months, or both.

(3)     A police officer, a medical practitioner or an officer may take such steps as appear to him or her to be necessary (including entering any building, place or vehicle, with such force as is necessary and reasonable) for the immediate safeguarding of a child who has been ill-treated or neglected as mentioned in subsection (1) or has been left unattended as mentioned in subsection (2).

(4)     An action does not lie against a person by reason of the person having acted pursuant to subsection (3) in good faith and with reasonable care in the circumstances.

(5)     Subsection (3) does not affect the operation of Part 5.