On 15 November 2010, the Senate referred to the Community Affairs References Committee an inquiry into former forced adoption policies and practices. Its report was tabled on 29 February 2012. On 21 March 2013, the former Prime Minister Julia Gillard apologised on behalf of the Australian Government to people affected by forced adoption or removal policies and practices.
The Inquiry was established as a result of the efforts over many years of mothers who were separated from their children by adoption.
The terms of reference for the Community Affairs Reference Committee to inquire and report on were:
Prepared by: Lydia Connell
Created: 29 August 2012, Last modified: 9 January 2014