FORCED ADOPTION APOLOGY A GOOD FIRST STEP

State Must Provide Ongoing Practical Assistance

The Tasmanian Greens today welcomed the first local meeting of the Federal Government’s new Forced Adoptions Apology Reference Group, vowing to pursue ongoing support and assistance to Tasmanians affected by the practice.

“The state and federal apologies were a good step in the healing process, but they were not the last word,” Mr O’Halloran said.

“The next step in the healing process is to provide those affected by forced adoption practices with practical support and assistance.”

“A number of people have approached our office to say that, after finally summoning the courage to face the task of trying to track down family members, it has been a very difficult and costly process.”

“Waiving the cost of accessing medical and other records is the least that needs to occur, especially across state boundaries, to ensure that those affected by forced adoption are given the services they need to continue the healing.”

“The Greens led the political push for Tasmania to make this formal apology, because we believed official recognition that mothers had been forced to give up their children was long overdue.”

“We will continue to pursue the ongoing support and assistance in obtaining access to records as part of the ongoing healing process that the state has a responsibility to assist with.”

“Hopefully this will not be the only time that the Federal Reference Group gets to visit Tasmania and make direct contact with those Tasmanians still coming to terms with these previous abhorrent practices.”
Paul O’Halloran MP Greens Children’s Spokesperson Tuesday, 9 July 2013