[Greens-Media] Apology for forced adoptions - Greens

[Elizabeth.Ingham at parliament.vic.gov.au]

The Greens have today supported and participated in Victorian Parliament's 
apology to the mothers, fathers, sons and daughters who were profoundly 
harmed by past adoption practices in Victoria. 

"On behalf of the Victorian Greens, I join with all members of the 
Parliament of Victoria to acknowledge the terrible pain, grief and anguish 
that has been suffered by thousands of people who were separated by the 
inappropriate, unethical and illegal forced adoption policies of the 
recent past," said Victorian Greens Leader Greg Barber at the special 
joint sitting of Parliament this morning. 
"We know that for you this has been a very, very long road for you and it 
will be a day of mixed emotions. I would also like to acknowledge that for 
many thousands of people who are no longer alive, this apology has come 
too late. It is indeed difficult to believe that it has taken so long for 
this day to come about." 
"Instead of receiving support, young pregnant women and young mothers, who 
had their children in publicly funded institutions, were subject to 
practices that denied their rights as mothers. Many were told that they 
were unworthy, sinful or selfish for even becoming pregnant, and worse if 
they wished to keep their children." 
"Both prejudice and discrimination against women who raise their children 
on their own are still with us. Every time someone has a go at sole 
parents – usually sole mothers, they keep this prejudice alive. These 
prejudices run deep." 
Quoting this year's Senate Report 'Commonwealth Contribution to Former 
Forced Adoption Policies and Practices', Mr Barber said "formal apologies 
should always be accompanied by undertakings to take concrete actions that 
offer appropriate redress for past mistakes."

"In addition to saying that we are sorry, it is also very important to say 
thank you to all of the groups and individuals who have worked so hard for 
so long to raise the issues and to provide support and assistance to the 
mothers, fathers, sons and daughters who suffered as a result of past 
adoption practices. It is important that we recognise the ongoing role 
that you have played in bringing about this formal apology and to thank 
you for everything you have done." 
A full transcript of Mr Barber's speech is available on request. 
For comment: Greg Barber - 0433 044 771 
*********************************** 

Liz Ingham
Office of Greg Barber MLC 
Northern Metropolitan Region
Victorian Greens Leader

P: 9348 2622
M: 0409 333 595
E: elizabeth.ingham at parliament.vic.gov.au
W: http://mps.vic.greens.org.au


///////************************************************************///////////////

Parliament of Victoria                                                                                                                    . 
Important Disclaimer Notice:


The information contained in this email  including any attachments, may be 
confidential and/or privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, please 
notify the sender and delete it from  your system. Any unauthorised 
disclosure, copying or dissemination of all or part of this email, including 
any attachments, is not permitted. This email, including any attachments, should 
be dealt with in accordance with copyright and  privacy legislation. 
Except where otherwise stated, views expressed are those of the individual sender.