Premier Jacinta Allan delivered a formal apology to people who historical abuse and neglect as children in institutional care in Victoria on 8 February 2024.
Members of both houses of parliament gathered in the Legislative Assembly for the speech delivered by Jacinta Allan. It included these words:
Today we acknowledge a shameful chapter in our history, and the experiences of a group of Victorians who have fought for a long time to be heard.
From 1928 to 1990, thousands of children were entrusted to the state, religious organisations and charitable agencies.
To those children, who were abused and neglected during their time in care, we humbly and unreservedly apologise.
That you were needlessly separated from your brothers and sisters – sometimes growing up within the same four walls – but never being allowed to know each other.
For the grief of being removed from your parents, often without explanation – and the years spent fighting to find your family, sometimes in vain.
To those who died without getting the respect or recognition they deserved.
To the children who lost their lives while in the guardianship of the state, whose voices were silenced forever.
And to the families who were broken, permanently.
We failed you. For this, we are deeply sorry