637Definitions—ch 17

637 Definitions—ch 17 child welfare law—see section 640. child welfare order, for a child or young person—see section 638. child welfare proceeding—see section 639. government agency means a government department (however described) or statutory authority of the State.

interim child welfare order—see section 661. interstate law—see section 641. interstate officer—see section 642. participating State means a State where an interstate law is in force. sending State, for a child welfare order or child welfare proceeding, means the State from which the order or proceeding is transferred under this chapter or an interstate law. State includes New Zealand. State Childrens Court, of a State, means the court with jurisdiction to hear and decide a child welfare proceeding in the State at first instance. welfare body, for a State, means— (a) a Minister of the State; or (b) a government agency of the State; or (c) the chief executive (however described) of a government agency of the State; or (d) a person who holds another position in, or is employed by, a government agency of the State; or (e) a statutory office-holder; or (f) an organisation, or the chief executive officer (however described) of an organisation, in the State.