sec.25Principles for administering chapter

sec.25 Principles for administering chapter

This chapter is to be administered under the principles stated in this section. The main principle for administering this chapter is that the protection of children from harm, and the wellbeing and best interests of children, are paramount. Other principles for administering this chapter are— the right to cultural safety of children who are Aboriginal persons or Torres Strait Islander persons is to be promoted; and if a child is able to form views on a matter concerning a reportable allegation or reportable conviction and it is appropriate in the circumstances to consult the child— the child should be given the opportunity to express the views freely; and the views should be given due weight in an investigation relating to the allegation or conduct in the circumstances; and criminal conduct or suspected criminal conduct should be reported to the police service promptly; and a police investigation of the subject matter of a reportable allegation or reportable conviction has priority over any other investigation of the conduct under this chapter; and sector regulators have the expertise, knowledge and skills in relation to the reporting entities they regulate and, if their functions permit, can make an important contribution to investigations of reportable allegations and reportable convictions; and the commission and sector regulators should work collaboratively and reduce duplication to the extent possible; and information should be shared between the commission, sector regulators and reporting entities in a timely way in relation to reportable allegations and reportable convictions in order to minimise the risk of harm to children; and individuals who are the subject of an investigation of a reportable allegation or reportable conviction are entitled to be afforded natural justice in the conduct of the investigation; and the commission should— educate and guide reporting entities to improve their ability to identify reportable conduct and report and investigate reportable allegations and reportable convictions; and educate and guide sector regulators to assist reporting entities in complying with this chapter. (sec.25-ssec.1) This chapter is to be administered under the principles stated in this section. (sec.25-ssec.2) The main principle for administering this chapter is that the protection of children from harm, and the wellbeing and best interests of children, are paramount. (sec.25-ssec.3) Other principles for administering this chapter are— the right to cultural safety of children who are Aboriginal persons or Torres Strait Islander persons is to be promoted; and if a child is able to form views on a matter concerning a reportable allegation or reportable conviction and it is appropriate in the circumstances to consult the child— the child should be given the opportunity to express the views freely; and the views should be given due weight in an investigation relating to the allegation or conduct in the circumstances; and criminal conduct or suspected criminal conduct should be reported to the police service promptly; and a police investigation of the subject matter of a reportable allegation or reportable conviction has priority over any other investigation of the conduct under this chapter; and sector regulators have the expertise, knowledge and skills in relation to the reporting entities they regulate and, if their functions permit, can make an important contribution to investigations of reportable allegations and reportable convictions; and the commission and sector regulators should work collaboratively and reduce duplication to the extent possible; and information should be shared between the commission, sector regulators and reporting entities in a timely way in relation to reportable allegations and reportable convictions in order to minimise the risk of harm to children; and individuals who are the subject of an investigation of a reportable allegation or reportable conviction are entitled to be afforded natural justice in the conduct of the investigation; and the commission should— educate and guide reporting entities to improve their ability to identify reportable conduct and report and investigate reportable allegations and reportable convictions; and educate and guide sector regulators to assist reporting entities in complying with this chapter.