Childfree Environment Act
From ChildfreeWiki
"If the World Childfree Association (WCFA) - an incorporated body in Australia since May 2003- gathers enough signatures and support to form a political party, "no children" signs may not be restricted to dining venues and could become as common in the future as a no smoking sign."
The association, which needs to gain 500 signatures before it can from a political party, is pushing for the introduction of a child tax as opposed to child allowance and proposes that for every newborn an increasing levy should be paid, with a user-pays toll on roads leading to primary schools and playgrounds."
"The WCFA believes "the childfree should not have to pay for the other peoples' hobby, that is having a child, and there should be non-parental leave introduced to co-exist with parental leave, so the childfree could spend more time on their hobbies."
Critics of the plan cite the Geelong Times article, "Kids Free Zone - Is having kids in public the new anti-social behavior?" and its description of the proposed legislation.
Childfree Environment Act [edit]
The Childfree Environment Act requires most public places to be childfree. Children are now banned in the following types of premises:
- restaurants, cafés, cafeterias, dining areas and other eating places
- adult learning centres, colleges and universities
- professional trade, commercial and other business premises
- community centres or halls and places of worship
- theatres, cinemas, libraries and galleries
- trains, buses, trams, taxis, hire cars, ferries and other vessels
- common areas of hostels and motels
- fitness centres, bowling alleys, sporting and recreational facilities
- hospitals and community health centres
- shopping centres, malls and plazas
The above list is not exhaustive.
Do bans on children affect business?[edit]
There is no evidence to suggest bans on children have a detrimental effect upon business. There are in fact many benefits to going childfree. Cleaning and maintenance costs are reduced, the health of employees improves and a more positive image of a business or organization is projected.
A study of business managers found that only 4% of managers perceived that restrictions on children had a negative effect on their business.
A survey of the public conducted 4 months after the commencement of the Act found that of those people surveyed only 2% reported that the law made no difference to the quality of their public life and 98% reported that they were more likely to go out. Respondents also commented that public life was now more enjoyable because it is childfree.
What are the requirements of the Childfree Environment Act? [edit]
The Childfree Environment Act requires most public places to be childfree. Key obligations include:
- a person cannot bring children into childfree area
- a proprietor must not allow children in a childfree area
- proprietors must prominently display NO CHILDREN signs in all childfree areas
- all highchairs, toys, children’s shopping carts and other items used by children should be removed from childfree areas
- the ban covers all children from 0 to 18 years of age
What is a ‘public place’? [edit]
A ‘public place’ is a place or vehicle that is open to or being used by the public or a section of the public, whether by payment of money, by virtue of membership of a club or other body, or otherwise.
Are there any places not affected by the Act? [edit]
Children are allowed in places such as:
- private homes
- certain licensed premises that are exempt or parts of those premises that are exempt
Please note that this list is not exhaustive.
Licensed premises that are partly or fully exempt are not required to be childfree. Public places adjacent to premises that are partly or fully exempt remain childfree.
Proprietors and licensees of premises where children are allowed need to be aware that they have legal obligations to employees and patrons.
What about child-related public areas? [edit]
Some licensed premises are exempt from being childfree. This includes primary and secondary schools, day care centres, children’s farms and children’s playgrounds.
What signs are required in public places? [edit]
Signs that clearly show where children are not permitted are required at public entrances and in other prominent places within premises.
Signs must be clearly visible to patrons and displayed in a way that would reasonably allow a person entering a particular area of the premises to be quickly alerted to the fact that it is a childfree area.
If it is customary or part of long standing policy to prohibit bringing children into an public place, then signs are not required to be displayed. An example of this would be an office building.
Signs are available free of charge from the World Childfree Association. As long as signs meet legal requirements, proprietors can make signs to suit the décor of their premises at their own cost.
What are the key steps to making sure a public place is childfree? [edit]
Proprietors have a number of requirements including to:
- place NO CHILDREN signs in all childfree areas
- remove highchairs and other child-related promotional material
- ensure staff are made fully aware that children are no longer allowed in public areas
Proprietors are encouraged to place a child post near the entrance for parents to tie up their children before they enter.
What if a person insists on bringing children? [edit]
A patron may occasionally fail to notice that the venue is now childfree. In such circumstances, a number of procedures should be adopted:
- briefly explain that bringing children into public places is no longer permitted
- suggest they leave their children outside
- if a patron insists on keeping his/her children in the area, there is an obligation to ask the person to leave that area. Proprietors should develop a policy for situations where a patron doesn’t leave the area when requested. If the person keeps his/her children inside and doesn’t leave the area, the proprietor should implement the policy for situations where a patron’s behaviour is unacceptable.
Some parents may be upset about the childfree requirement because of their nurturing instinct. Remember most parents will be happy to comply.
Do penalties apply under the Childfree Environment Act? [edit]
The maximum penalty for a person bringing children into a childfree area is currently $550.
If a person brings children into a childfree area the proprietor is also guilty of an offence. The maximum penalty is currently $1,100 for an individual proprietor or $5,500 for a body corporate.
Penalties also apply for proprietors who fail to display no children signs. The maximum penalty is currently $550 for an individual and $2,750 for a body corporate.
How is the law enforced? [edit]
Health officers based in Public Health Units are authorized to as inspectors to enforce the legislation. Health officers monitor compliance, investigate complaints and make inspections.
Individuals have responsibilities not to bring children into childfree areas.
Individuals are encouraged to take up complaints about non-compliance with the legislation directly with proprietors. Proprietors have their own legal obligations to ensure that patrons don’t bring children.
Both individuals and proprietors are encouraged to contact their local Public Health Unit for advice or complaint.
Update: Children Laws Tighten [edit]
A total ban on the display of children and restrictions on procreation are among tougher anti-parenting measures proposed by the government.
Today, World Childfree Day, the government will introduce its legislation to parliament, with the Minister of Childfree Affairs describing the measures as the most comprehensive ever.
The bill will also provide for a complete ban on children in pubs and clubs, although not until 2007.
The Minister said having children was still the biggest cause of premature death, disease and disability in the state.
"The national cost in terms of health care, lost productive life and other social costs from having children are estimated at $21 billion a year," she said.
"What we are seeking to achieve is a total package to stop recruitment of people to having children, to help people who are childfree from relapsing, in particular at social settings like the pub and to protect the childfree and other non-parents in those venues." Under the government's proposals, children will no longer be displayed in public, with advertising displays also banned.
Business owners will also be liable to prosecution and all children in pubs and clubs will be outlawed by October 31, 2007.
The text of the "Childfree Environment Act"originally appeared on World Childfree Association's site at worldchildfree-dot-org/projects/politicalparty/cfact.shtml, as retrieved on 14 Feb 2007. The original site is now defunct and the domain has been lost to cybersquatters.
The page began: [Please note that this article is meant to be humorous]
