Media statement 20 September 2007
For immediate release

Qian Xun Xue to reunite with Grandmother in New Zealand

Three year old Qian Xun Xue is returning to New Zealand to reunite with her grandmother in the wake of the tragic death of her mother An An Liu.

Currently in the care of the Victorian Department of Human Services, custody of Qian is being transferred to Child, Youth and Family in New Zealand.

The mother of An An Liu is expected to arrive in New Zealand as soon as possible and we understand she has expressed the wish to take her granddaughter back to China.

The head of Child, Youth and Family Ray Smith, said today that New Zealand authorities were committed to making the process of bringing Qian back from Australia as simple and stress free as possible.

He said, "Her caregivers and the Department of Human Services in Australia have done a fantastic job of making her feel safe and cared for, but Qian has already been through far too much and we want to ensure that she doesn't endure any further trauma."

Child protection orders can be transferred across the majority of Australian/New Zealand jurisdictions based on a protocol signed in 1999.

"We have a dedicated team who work with child protection agencies in other countries, so there is a clear procedure for taking her into our custody from Victoria.

"These inter-country arrangements are made regularly, however rarely are the circumstances so exceptionally tragic."

Qian is expected back in New Zealand within the next seven to ten days and will be reunited with her grandmother as soon as possible.

Ray Smith said, "It is clear that Qian is loved and wanted and we will be making every effort to streamline our processes, but equally we have an obligation to Qian to make sure that every action taken is in her best interests.

"Every child deserves a loving home, somewhere that they can call their own, feel they belong. We are working very hard to make that happen for Qian.

ENDS

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