Page 3071 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 14 August 2012
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It is our responsibility to acknowledge, on behalf of this community, that these practices occurred, and that mothers did not give up their babies willingly. We acknowledge the pain of those affected. And we express our heartfelt sympathy to those ACT families, past and present, separated by an adoption that was forced upon them.
As an Assembly, today we can resolve to never repeat the flawed adoption practices of our community’s past, and to support, as best we can, the healing that is to come.
We know that today’s words are just a beginning, that decades of loss cannot be remedied by any words, however heartfelt. But the words do need to be spoken if the healing is to begin.
The ACT government are committed to making available appropriate counselling support to affected Canberrans, to assist in that healing process, and we are also committed to taking what lessons we can from the past, to ensure that it is never repeated.
We have already had some discussions with those affected about the formation of a reference group, which will explore issues faced by people affected by forced adoption practices in the ACT, and how these can be managed into the future.
I know that past practices and experiences have already helped to shape recent changes to the ACT Adoption Act and the Children and Young People Act to ensure that these important pieces of legislation recognise the best interests of children and the importance of the provision of counselling, support, information and assistance to enable families to care for their children.
A number of recent legal changes relate to access to origins information and open adoption, where birth parents can remain informed or in contact with their child.
Mr Speaker, in 2012, we like to think we live in a different world and are part of a different society from the one that condoned and connived in the practices that have led to today’s apology.
We have a range of supports for anyone facing a pregnancy in challenging circumstances, or indeed for those who may be experiencing parenting difficulties.
We have three child and family centres, which offer mainstream services like baby health checks, playgroups and groups specifically there to support fathers and mothers as they undertake their parenting journey.
Such programs were unheard of a few decades ago.
Another program which I think we can all take pride in is the Canberra college cares program at Canberra college, which offers young parents the opportunity to pursue their education whilst also pursuing their rights to be parents. This is a great partnership. It allows, and I think sends the message to, every one of the 149 students
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