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Australian adoption rates reach 25-year low

Xinhua, April 21, 2015 Adjust font size:

Australian adoption lobby groups on Tuesday urged the federal government to form new inter-country agreements as adoption rates fall to an all-time low.

Only 317 adoptions occurred in Australia over the past year and 114 of them were from abroad representing the lowest decline in 25 years.

Adopt Change founder Deborra-Lee Furness, who is married to Hollywood acting star Hugh Jackman, said adoption for childless parents needed to be made easier.

"Adoption is the most complex and highly charged emotional issue, obviously because it's so primal and it's about families and we want to get it right," she told Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

At present, the Australian adoption process can only occur with nine other nations.

UNICEF estimates there are some 150 million orphans worldwide and adoption advocates say this figure justifies the need for a better adoption policy.

"What is the alternative? You have a child that is abandoned and on their own. What do we do? We have got to do what is best for the kids, and cross-culture divides are stopping kids from getting into loving families," Furness said.

"I'd like to see every child belong in a family. Institutionalized kids don't thrive ... It doesn't work." Endi