10Best interests of child

10 Best interests of child (1) When a decision involving a child is made, the best interests of the child are the paramount concern. (2) Without limiting subsection (1), consideration should be given to the following matters in determining the best interests of a child: (a) the need to protect the child from harm and exploitation; (b) the capacity and willingness of the child's parents or other family members to care for the child; (c) the nature of the child's relationship with the child's family and other persons who are significant in the child's life; (ca) the need to strengthen, preserve and promote positive relationships between the child and the child's parents, family members, kinship group and other persons who are significant in the child's life; (cb) in circumstances where the child has been removed from the care of the child's family, all possibilities related to reunifying the child with the child's parents; (d) the wishes and views of the child, having regard to the maturity and understanding of the child; (e) the child's need for permanency in the child's living arrangements; (f) the child's need for stable and nurturing relationships; (g) the child's physical, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, developmental and educational needs; (h) the child's age, maturity, gender, sexuality and cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds; (ha) if the child is an Aboriginal child – the child's right to enjoy the Aboriginal culture and tradition of the child's family and community including the need to maintain ongoing contact with the child's family and connection to country and language; (i) other special characteristics of the child;

Care and Protection of Children Act 2007 5 (j) the likely effect on the child of any changes in the child's