A group of Tasmanian adoptees are asking every member of the state’s parliament to share Petition 149, Recognise the Babies Taken Through Forced Adoption in Tasmania’s Redress Scheme, with their constituents before it closes on 13 October 2026.

The petition asks that the adults who were removed as babies under forced adoption practices be made eligible for Tasmania’s redress scheme, from which they are currently excluded.

The Tasmanian Government has acknowledged that forced adoption caused deep and lasting harm to all those affected, and its apology expressly recognised the children who were taken.

Advocates say the exclusion of those same people, now adults, from redress is a contradiction that has never been explained.

They are asking the Government four questions:

  • On what evidence were adoptees excluded?
  • What consultation occurred with adoptees?
  • What trauma-informed, medical, psychological or human rights advice supported that decision?
  • Why does an apology that names the children stop short of a scheme that includes them?

The case is not only an emotional one. Evidence given to the Australian Senate inquiry into former forced adoption policies and practices documented adoptees living with diagnosed post-traumatic stress disorder, panic attacks, anxiety, depression, physical ill-health, alcohol misuse, relationship difficulties, fear of abandonment, identity confusion and an enduring sense of not belonging. The inquiry also heard of illness going undiagnosed because adoptees could not access their family medical history. Published research has identified elevated suicide-attempt risk among adopted populations.

Experiences vary, and adoption alone cannot account for every difficulty faced by every adoptee. But advocates argue the documented physical, medical, psychological and social consequences are too serious to dismiss.

“I have spent years researching the effects of adoption and tens of thousands of dollars seeking professional help,” said Kate Walker. “Other adoptees have spent decades and substantial personal resources trying to understand and survive consequences that began when they were babies.”

The campaign is explicit that it does not seek to diminish the recognition owed to mothers. “Mothers deserve recognition, apology, support and redress,” Kate said. “But forced adoption did not happen to only one person. A mother lost her baby. A baby lost their mother. One family was torn apart.”

Members of parliament are being asked to share the petition through their social media pages, newsletters, websites, mailing lists or electorate office communications, and to reply within seven days confirming whether they will do so.

Sharing the petition, advocates note, commits no member to a particular scheme design or eligibility test. It simply lets constituents learn about the issue and decide for themselves.

“The babies had no voice when they were taken,” Kate said. “The adults they became are asking to be heard now. Redress that forgets the child is not full redress. It is unfinished justice.”

To Sign the Petition – Recognise the Babies Taken Through Forced Adoption in Tasmania’s Redress Scheme

Further Context:

The current redress scheme provides a $75,000 payment and a personal apology exclusively to mothers impacted by historical forced adoptions before the end of 1988.

To find out more about the scheme and how to apply for redress:

We understand that making an application may be distressing and bring up difficult memories.

If you need help, support is available.

  • Lifeline: 13 11 14
  • Relationships Australia – Tasmania: 1300 364 277
  • 13YARN: 13 92 76

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