[Greens-Media] Baillieu takes up Greens' call for apology for forced adoptions - Pennicuik

[Amanda.Sharp at parliament.vic.gov.au]

Baillieu takes up Greens' call for apology for forced adoptions

Monday 13 August 2012

"The Premier has written to the Greens advising of his intention to 
formally apologise on behalf of the Victorian government on behalf of the 
women, children and families who were affected by past adoption 
practices."

"The Greens are pleased to hear that there will be an apology from 
parliament for past forced adoption practices," Greens MLC for Southern 
Metropolitan said today. 

"I have a motion in state parliament calling for the government to follow 
the West Australian, ACT and now South Australian parliaments which have 
already moved formal apologies," Ms Pennicuik said. 

"An apology is a good first step but it needs to be followed up with 
concrete action to help relieve the suffering of everyone who was affected 
and to offer redress for that suffering," Ms Pennicuik said.

In its report, 'Commonwealth Contribution to Former Forced Adoption 
Policies and Practices,' the Senate Committee on Community Affairs 
recommended that (a) state and territory governments and non-government 
institutions that administered adoptions should issue formal statements of 
apology that acknowledge practices that were illegal or unethical, as well 
as other practices that contributed to the harm suffered by many parents 
whose children were forcibly removed and by the children who were 
separated from their parents; and (b) formal apologies should always be 
accompanied by undertakings to take concrete actions that offer 
appropriate redress for past mistakes.

"Like the Premier, we hope the occasion will be embraced by all sides of 
politics, but much more than an apology is required as outlined in the 
Senate report,"* Ms Pennicuik concluded.

For further comment:  Sue Pennicuik 0409 055 875 / 03 9530 8399

* For example:10.58 The committee recommends that the Commonwealth, states 
and territories urgently determine a process to establish affordable and 
regionally available specialised professional support and counselling 
services to address the specific needs of those affected by former forced 
adoption policies and practices. 

Recommendation 9 10.59 The committee recommends that the Commonwealth fund 
peer-support groups that assist people affected by former forced adoption 
policies and practices to deliver services in the areas of: • promoting 
public awareness of the issues; • documenting evidence; • assisting with 
information searches; and • organising memorial events; And that this 
funding be provided according to transparent application criteria. 

Recommendation 10 10.60 The committee recommends that financial 
contributions be sought from state and territory governments, 
institutions, and organisations that were involved in the practice of 
placing children of single mothers for adoption to support the funding of 
services described in the previous two recommendations. 

Recommendation 11 11.36 The committee recommends that the Commonwealth 
should lead discussions with states and territories to consider the issues 
surrounding the establishment and funding of financial reparation schemes. 


Recommendation 12 11.43 The committee recommends that institutions and 
governments that had responsibility for adoption activities in the period 
from the 1950s to the 1970s establish grievance mechanisms that will allow 
the hearing of complaints and, where evidence is established of 
wrongdoing, ensure redress is available. Accessing grievance mechanisms 
should not be conditional on waiving any right to legal action. 


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Parliament of Victoria                                                                                                                    . 
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