Details

The Inquiry examined the operation, legality and impact of approved child migration schemes to Australia during the twentieth century with particular attention to the Commonwealth Government's role. The Terms of Reference also draw attention to the impact on family and identity and the effectiveness of later attempts to facilitate reunion, and other forms of reparation.

The Process
Senate Community Affairs References Committee. The Inquiry was undertaken through submissions, research and public and private hearings.

Governing Legislation
Referred on a motion of the Senate to the Senate Community Affairs References Committee which is constituted under Senate Standing Order 25.

Inquiry Locations
The Inquiry sat in capital cities of Australia: Canberra, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, and Sydney. It also travelled to Rockhampton in Queensland.

Public Hearings
8 days of public hearings in Canberra, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Rockhampton, Sydney.

Private Sessions
Former child migrants were offered the opportunity of private hearings. Three members of the Committee also visited London and Ottawa where they spoke with representatives of government, former providers, records holders and support services.

Written Submissions
The Committee received 252 submissions, of which 99 were confidential and 153 were public.

Research
The Committee uses the resources of the Senate but no-one in particular is named.

Witnesses
The Inquiry heard from 80 witnesses: 38 former child migrants plus representatives of government departments, former providers, support services, and researchers.

Gender
27 male, 11 female

Institutions
The Inquiry examined 51 institutions (homes hostels and farm schools): 16 male only, 13 female only, 22 mixed.

Findings
The Inquiry found that documents reflected a 'complete disregard for the needs, the safety and well-being of many child migrants' leaving them open to shocking abuse, inadequate and outdated models of care, and identity issues associated with the severing of relationships with their families (Lost Innocents 2001, p.xiii).

Recommendations
33 recommendations were made. Key recommendations include funding for tracing services; that counselling and support services for former child migrants be extended (Recommendations 5, 13, 18-22, 25-28); that a a comprehensive index of child migrants be established, that there be improved records access (Recommendations 2, 7-12, , 14-16); and that formal apologies be offered and suitable forms of memorialisation be undertaken (Recommendations 30-4).

Further Action
This Inquiry leads indirectly to the Forgotten Australians Inquiry, although the specific recommendation (1) is that the Commonwealth encourage the states to undertake such inquiries.

Related Inquiries
Forgotten Australians

Inquiry Panel

• Bartlett, Andrew
• Evans, Chris
• Gibbs, Brenda
• Knowles, Sue
• Murray, Andrew
• Tchen, Tsebin