Parliament apologises for forced adoptions

The State Government has this morning (20 September 2012), said sorry for the trauma, grief and pain caused by so-called forced adoptions in this state, in which thousands of babies were removed from women who did not want to give them up, to a mixed reaction from those affected.

Premier Barry O'Farrell described the practice as a "shameful episode of our history" and one that inflicted pain he found almost incomprehensible as a parent himself.

He went on to say:

"This policy ignored the fundamental bond between mother and child and the lifelong trauma caused when that bond is prematurely and brutally severed.

"We are sorry for the forced adoptions practices that severed the fundamental, life-giving bonds between a mother and her child.

"We say sorry for treating you cruelly and insensitively when what you most needed and deserved was care and support."

To read more on this, click here.

TimeBase’s LawOne Service guarantees reliable, accurate and convenient access to Australian Legislation from all 9 jurisdictions. Contact TimeBase for a free trial today.