Section 91B — Family Law Act 1975: Intervention by child welfare officer

(1) In any proceedings under this Act that affect, or may affect, the welfare of a child, the court may request the intervention in the proceedings of an officer of a State, of a Territory or of the Commonwealth, being the officer who is responsible for the administration of the laws of the State or Territory in which the proceedings are being heard that relate to child welfare. (2) Where the court has, under subsection (1), requested an officer to intervene in proceedings: (a) the officer may intervene in those proceedings; and (b) where the officer so intervenes, the officer shall be deemed to be a party to the proceedings with all the rights, duties and liabilities of a party. Note: If an officer intervenes in proceedings and acts in good faith in relation to the proceedings, an order for costs, or for security for costs, cannot be made under subsection 114UB(2) against the officer: see subsection 114UC(5).