Greens Welcome Premier’s Promise to Investigate
The Tasmanian Greens today renewed calls on the Premier to agree to a Parliamentary apology to Tasmanians affected by the State’s past policy of forced adoptions, in light of similar moves by the South Australian Government.
Greens Children spokesperson Paul O’Halloran MP today informed the House of Assembly that the South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill has undertaken that their apology would be made on June 13 this year, and urged Tasmania to take similar action.
“This is a significant validation and acknowledgement of a past wrong, and one that Tasmanians also deserve to receive,” Mr O’Halloran said.
“The Greens welcome Premier Giddings’ undertaking to look into South Australia’s commitment to apologise for past wrongs, and we urge that she now engage in a tripartite process to script a formal apology to be made on behalf of the Tasmanian Parliament”
“It’s time for Tasmania to also commit to formally acknowledging the trauma caused to victims of forced adoption, and the role of the state in administering this trauma over decades spanning the 1950s and 1960s.”
“A Senate Committee looking into the matter recently recommended that governments and non-government agencies involved in the practice should issue formal statements of apology.”
“The Greens’ recently tabled a motion that would provide an opportunity for the Parliament to give in-principle support that such an apology be made, and then to commit to the steps that need to then occur to reach appropriate wording.”
“This is a stain on our history that must be acknowledged if the healing is to continue,” Mr O’Halloran said.
Text of Motion tabled by Greens Children Spokesperson Paul O’Halloran MP:
That the House notes:
1. The Senate Committee investigating the Commonwealth Contribution to Forced Adoption Practices tabled their Report last week, 29th February, 2012.
2. That this Report acknowledges the severe trauma caused to victims of forced adoption and the role of State and Federal Governments and non-government organisations in administering this trauma.
3. That the Report makes 20 recommendations, of which a number refer to specific action to be taken by individual States and Territories.
4. Recommendation 3- (9.7) recommends that 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 further this House:
5. Acknowledges the role played by the Tasmanian Government in forced adoption practices;
6. Gives in-principle support to a Parliamentary apology to those affected by the forced adoption policy; and
7. Requests the three Parties represented in this House work co-operatively with stakeholders to formalise appropriate words for a parliamentary apology.
Paul O’Halloran MP Greens Childrens’ Spokesperson
