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Australia PM Gillard sorry for 'shameful' forced adoptions | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has issued an apology to people affected by Australia's forced adoption policy between the 1950s and 1970s. | Prime Minister Julia Gillard has issued an apology to people affected by Australia's forced adoption policy between the 1950s and 1970s. |
Tens of thousands of babies of unmarried, mostly teenage mothers, were thought to have been taken by the state and given to childless married couples. | Tens of thousands of babies of unmarried, mostly teenage mothers, were thought to have been taken by the state and given to childless married couples. |
Many women said they were coerced into signing away their children. | Many women said they were coerced into signing away their children. |
Speaking in front of hundreds of the victims, Ms Gillard said the "shameful" policy had created "a legacy of pain". | |
"Today, this Parliament, on behalf of the Australian people, takes responsibility and apologises for the policies and practices that forced the separation of mothers from their babies which created a lifelong legacy of pain and suffering," she said at Parliament House in the capital Canberra. | |
"We deplore the shameful practices that denied you, the mothers, your fundamental rights and responsibilities to love and care for your children." | |
Drugged claims | |
The prime minister said mothers had been denied knowledge of their rights, which meant they could not provide informed consent. | |
"You were given false assurances, you were forced to endure the coercion and brutality of practices that were unethical, dishonest and in many cases illegal," Ms Gillard said. | |
Many people in the crowd broke down in tears during her speech, which was greeted with applause. | |
Ms Gillard also announced the Australian government would provide A$5 million (£3.4m) funding to improve access to specialist support, records tracing and mental health care for those affected by forced adoption. | |
Last February, a Senate committee called for the national apology after investigating the impact of the policy. | Last February, a Senate committee called for the national apology after investigating the impact of the policy. |
The report was based on submissions from hundreds of women. | The report was based on submissions from hundreds of women. |
Many said they gave up their children because of stigma attached to unmarried motherhood at the time. | Many said they gave up their children because of stigma attached to unmarried motherhood at the time. |
Some said they were drugged, while others said their signatures were forged. | Some said they were drugged, while others said their signatures were forged. |
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