Restriction on publication of identity of parties
109 Restriction on publication of identity of parties
Subject to this section, a person who at any time publishes, or causes to be published, in a newspaper or periodical, or by means of broadcasting, television, or public exhibition in relation to a consent given, or dispensed with, or an application made, under this Act or under a law of another State or a Territory for the adoption of a child or the proceedings on such an application – the name of a prospective adoptive parent; or the name of the child; or the name of the father, the mother, a parent or a guardian or a guardian of the child; or any matter reasonably likely to enable any of those persons to be identified – is guilty of an offence.
This section does not apply to the publication of matter – with the authority of the court – to which an application for an adoption order was made; or to which an application under subsection (3) is made; or that consists of information that has been obtained under Part VI by the person publishing it; or that relates to the name of a parent, other than an adoptive parent, of the child where, in accordance with the adoption order, the name of that parent is shown on the birth certificate of the child issued after the order is made.
A person may apply to the court for authority to publish matter to which subsection (1) applies where – the adopted person concerned has attained the age of 18 years; and the applicant is a relative of the adopted person.
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