A child welfare authority's duty of care to children reported as abused under s 148B of the Child Welfare Act 1939 (NSW) is not confined to the mandatory statutory obligations but may extend to reporting abuse to police where the circumstances require it. Whether a failure to report constitutes a breach of duty raises factual questions unsuitable for summary determination. A non-publication order under s 72 of the Civil Procedure Act 2005 (NSW) requires evidence that the order is necessary to secure the proper administration of justice; the mere fact that allegations are made against a party is insufficient.
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