FORCED ADOPTION

[Alison J Stevens]

ACT Government to follow.

MR E.S. RIPPER (Belmont — Leader of the Opposition) [3.07 pm]:
“Today we recognise the experiences of those mothers who were pressured
into relinquishing their babies when they were emotionally vulnerable
and under duress. Past adoption practices were wrong. The legal, health
and welfare systems of this state were not supportive of young unwed
mothers and many people were wrongly subjected to government
intervention that would have lasting and very personal consequences.
The way so many adoptions were carried out across the 1940s through to
the 1980s was a judgement made according to the values of the time. If
we were to be presented with these issues today, both the government
and the opposition would take a different policy approach. What
happened across these years is not condoned by anyone in this house.
The removal, forcible or otherwise, of babies from their mothers who
were under duress is not condoned. Traumatic birth experiences, a lack
of information, emotional vulnerability, and extreme pressure from
higher authorities—including doctors, matrons, lawyers and welfare
officers—resulted in signed consent forms and consequences that would
severely scar all involved for decades to come…
The deep and profound sadness experienced by mothers who join us here
today and who live across our state will be a legacy of this period in
history. We recognise that lives have been irrevocably affected. Having
a newborn baby taken away in traumatic circumstances is an event that I
can scarcely imagine. We also apologise for mothers not having the
chance to see their newborn baby, bond with it and continue the love
that had developed while in utero.
We acknowledge that when you were at your most vulnerable, those who
should have offered support, advice and understanding were amongst
those who failed you the most. We recognise that this apology does not
repair the trauma and damage done to you so many years ago.
Nevertheless, Parliament hopes that in offering formal recognition of
your experiences, you may be able to move forward with the healing
process. Today, in an effort to create a more just and dignified
Western Australia and also to enable mothers affected by these adoption
processes to heal, we have recognised errors of the past that happened
right here in our state. I am sorry for what you endured. The state
Parliamentary Labor Party is sorry for what you endured.”
Removal of Children from Unmarried Mothers — Apology, 2010 Western Australian Parliament, 19 Oct. 7881- 7890.
http://www.parliament.wa.gov.au/web/newwebparl.nsf/iframewebpages/h...

Kim Hames, Deputy Premier; Health; Indigenous Affairs, Tue 07 September, 2010
Adoption apology planned for October
http://www.mediastatements.wa.gov.au/Pages/default.aspx?ItemId=1339...

Hon Eric Ripper MLA, Leader of the Opposition, 2010 Adoption Apology, Western Australia, 19 Oct.
http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:JqooK2iqYaoJ:www.loop...

WA Parliament apologises over forced adoptions, 7pm TV News WA, Tuesday, October 19, 2010 7:06
http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2010/10/19/3042876.htm?site=perth

The ACT Legislative Assembly has passed a motion calling for an apology to women affected by forced adoptions
ACT to apologise for forced adoptions, 7pm TV News ACT Published: Wednesday, October 27, 2010 7:14 AEDT.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2010/10/27/3050172.htm?site=perth

Ten Hail Marys: Kate Howarth, 2010 Life Matters, ABC Radio, 4 Oct.
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/lifematters/stories/2010/3026826.htm?site=...
Value-forced adoption.