Some people may find content on this website distressing. Read more
Western Australia - Event

Commonwealth Contribution to Former Forced Adoption Policies and Practices (2011 - 2012)

From
2011
To
2012
Website
http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/Completed_inquiries/2010-13/commcontribformerforcedadoption/index

The Commonwealth Contribution to Former Forced Adoption Policies and Practices has been the subject of a Senate Committee Inquiry which commenced in 2011. The Inquiry was established as a result of the efforts over many years of many mothers who were separated from their children by adoption. Interested individuals and organisations were invited to make submissions to the Inquiry by 30 October 2011. A Public Hearing was held in Perth on 1 April 2011. The Report from the Inquiry was tabled on 29 February 2012.

Details

The terms of reference were for the Community Affairs Reference Committee to inquire and report on:

  1. The role, if any, of the Commonwealth Government, its policies and practices in contributing to forced adoption; and
  2. The potential role of the Commonwealth in developing a national framework to assist states and territories to address the consequences for the mothers, their families and children who were subject to forced adoption policies.

Publications

Books

  • Elphick, Ron J and Glennis Dees, The adoption jigsaw : an account of the compassionate understanding and support given to those whose lives were affected by past adoption practices and of the 20 year struggle in Western Australia to break the conspiracy of silence surrounding adoption by changing attitudes, customs, laws and practices, 1978-1998., R. Elphick, Perth, 2000. Details

Online Resources

Photos

Adoption of Children Act 1896
Title
Adoption of Children Act 1896
Type
Document
Date
23 September 1896
Source
State Law Publisher of Western Australia

Details

Happy and Carefree Natures Caught By the Cameraman In These Studies of Young Western Australians
Title
Happy and Carefree Natures Caught By the Cameraman In These Studies of Young Western Australians
Type
Image
Date
5 February 1939
Source
National Library of Australia

Details

Adoption of Children Act Amendment Act 1964
Title
Adoption of Children Act Amendment Act 1964
Type
Document
Date
23 December 1964
Source
State Law Publisher of Western Australia

Details

Adoption of Children Amendment Act 1976
Title
Adoption of Children Amendment Act 1976
Type
Document
Date
25 November 1976
Source
State Law Publisher of Western Australia

Details

Adoption of Children Amendment Act 1985
Title
Adoption of Children Amendment Act 1985
Type
Document
Date
13 December 1985
Source
State Law Publisher of Western Australia

Details

Sources used to compile this entry: Senate Standing Committees on Community Affairs, 'Commonwealth Contribution to Former Forced Adoption Policies and Practices (2011 - 2012)', in Parliament of Australia website, Commonwealth of Australia, 2012, http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/Completed_inquiries/2010-13/commcontribformerforcedadoption/report/index.htm.

Prepared by: Rosemary Francis and Debra Rosser