The Board was created by the Child Protection Act 1974 and consisted of five members appointed by the Governor. It was empowered to appoint officers to whom reports could be made of alleged cruelty to children under the age of 12. Such officers were also empowered to ensure appropriate treatment was sought for such children, and if necessary a 30 day child protection order made. ;;The Board was also enabled to bring a child before a magistrate to seek a Ward of the State order according to the Child Welfare Act 1960.;;;;Assessment Committees were subsequently formed in the various regions of the State: Southern, Northern, North-West (Burnie) and North-West (Devonport).;;;;In 1989 various reforms were adopted in response to the Tasmanian Taskforce on Child Sexual Assault. Amongst these changes was the restructuring of the Board and its renaming as the Child Protection Board under the Child Protection Amendment Act 1990. The new Board's role was to focus more on policy and community education.;;;;While the legislation received Royal Assent on 20th December 1990, the old Board continued to meet until May the following year.