The Wire

Liberal MP Bronwyn Bishop believes the system should be changed so that the children of drug addicts to be adopted out, if they are stuck for long periods in the foster care system. The statements by Ms Bishop pre-empt the findings of a Federal parliamentary inquiry she is chairing into the impact of illicit drug use on families. The policy idea also comes as the state parliaments of Queensland and NSW are also considering legislation that will make it easier to take children away from their parents on a permanent basis if they have an ongoing problem with drug abuse. This is despite studied showing that drug abusers who end up in jail are more likely to head down the path of reform and recovery if they are in healthy relationships with their families. In a moment we’ll hear from one researcher with personal experience of the foster care system. But first, here is a snippet of what Ms Bishop said on the issue this morning to the ABC’s AM program.