Details

The Senate Inquiry into Forced Adoptions examined the role of policies and practices of the Commonwealth Government in contributing to forced adoptions. It also considered the potential role of the Commonwealth in developing a national framework to assist states and territories responses in addressing the consequences for mothers, families and children of forced adoptions policies.

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

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

Governing Authority
National government

Inquiry Locations
The Inquiry sat in capital cities of Australia: Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra, Adelaide, and Hobart.

Public Hearings
Eight public hearings were held.

Written Submissions
418 submission were received, primarily from people impacted by the policy. A smaller number of submissions were received from organisations involved in adoption and from some individual experts.

Research
There was no commissioned research. However, the Australian Institute of Family Studies undertook parallel projects during the course of the Inquiry. As internal research considerable archival and newspaper research was undertaken.

Witnesses
The Committee heard from 100 survivor witnesses, plus representatives of support organisations, adoption providers, and individual experts

Gender
There were 89 female and 11 male witnesses.

Findings
The Committee found that the Commonwealth had a limited role in former forced adoptions but could play a co-ordinating role in addressing its consequences.

Recommendations
20 recommendations were made. Key recommendations included apologies from both government and responsible organisations; funding for counselling and peer support organisations; investigation of financial reparations; rationalising and improving records access; support for family reunion; and memorialisation.

Related Inquiries
The Mother and Baby Homes Commission of Investigation. There have also been calls for similar inquiries in NZ, Canada and the UK.

Inquiry Panel

• Moore, Claire