https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-10-22/wa-government-responds-to-forced-adoption-inquiry/104452142?fbclid=IwY2xjawGEtD5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHSlFn4C8pi3n3MPXEjy0KeCkYOFSb1ad1Idlg8Qh3qYrVBZz4TRtNzmA7g_aem_8f51APJ9eh6QdwPZ-MrNXQForced adoption survivors disappointed at government response to inquiry
By Claire Moodie
Topic:Adoption
10h ago
In short:
The WA government has responded to a landmark report into forced adoptions in the state between 1939 until the early 1980s. Mothers whose babies were taken away, as well as people who were removed as newborns, gathered at Parliament House on Tuesday to witness the tabling. The government said it supported the majority of the report's recommendations, but would give "further consideration" to 14 recommendations including the establishment of the crucial redress scheme for both mothers and adoptees.
Survivors of the so-called forced adoption era in Western Australia have expressed disappointment after the state government failed to commit to a financial redress scheme and end what they call the "ongoing secrecy" surrounding adoption. Mothers whose babies were taken away from 1939 to the early 1980s, as well as people who were removed as newborns, gathered at Parliament House on Tuesday to witness the tabling of the government's response to a recent inquiry. The inquiry's 470-page report took aim at both state government departments and private institutions, saying they "funnelled" unmarried mothers into adoption against their will. It found the women were psychologically abused, coerced into the adoptions of their babies and many endured horrific treatment in private institutions. The government said it supported the majority of the report's recommendations to address the on-going trauma faced by survivors, but would give "further consideration" to 14 recommendations, including a redress scheme for both mothers and adoptees. Adoptee Jen McRae, who led the push for the inquiry, said she is stunned that the government can't yet make a firm commitment. "The state government can totally afford redress for forced adoption survivors and for the stolen generation," she said.
"We can absolutely do the right thing for these people who've had their lives absolutely ruined by government policy."
The government also rejected a recommendation to notify all adopted persons not already aware of their adopted status, saying that it would have the potential to cause significant psychological harm and distress to individuals. But Ms McRae said people have a right to know the truth. "It's absolutely a human right to know who you are and where you came from and the medical knowledge you need to know as you get older," she said.
The supported recommendations include setting up a forced adoption reference group to guide the improvement of mental health services, access to information and legislative changes.
The tabling of the response comes 14 years after WA became the first state in the country to apologise for the forced adoption practices of last century.
'It's impacted every facet of my life'
At an event to mark the anniversary yesterday, mother Louise Kirk, who became pregnant at 16 and was coerced into signing adoption papers, said redress was long overdue to properly acknowledge the severe lifelong harm caused by the practice.
"Saying sorry is wonderful but you know what's it's like someone says sorry to you prove it, show me you are sorry, show me in your actions. Actions speak louder than words," she said.
"We were just children, we were pregnant children and we had a baby and that was our sin and the punishment has continued. It's impacted every facet of my life, starting with the total removal of self esteem."
Dire financial position
For 78-year-old Lynne Devine, Tuesday's announcement comes after 40 years of campaigning for justice. She has been involved in every small step of progress, including a 2013 national apology by Julia Gillard. Ms Devine said many mothers had already passed away, but those that remained needed financial help. "There are very many women in dire straits who've lost a child and have never really recovered and have never been able to pick their lives up. Now they're trying to live on an old age pension and they've got nothing behind them," Ms Devine said.
The report's 39 recommendations included that institutions run by Ngala, the Salvation Army and the Sisters of Mercy participate in a redress scheme. In February, the Victorian government introduced the first redress scheme for mothers in the country. It expects more than 3,000 women who were separated from their infants at birth to apply for the $138 million program, which includes access to counselling and psychological support and an individual apology process. Speaking in the WA state parliament, Minister for Child Protection, Sabine Winton, said a redress program would be considered. "The Cook Government recognises that for many people redress signifies an important step in the formal recognition of their experience, to hold responsible agencies and the institutions to account and to support healing," she said.
"The required work is currently being undertaken to comprehensively consider a redress scheme for WA."
