THE Federal Government will formally apologise to families torn apart by forced adoptions.

The apology, similar to that made to Indigenous Australians and the Stolen Generations, follows a recent parliamentary inquiry that detailed the horrific impact the policy of forced adoption had on mothers and their children.

Announcing the apology, Attorney-General Nicola Roxon said it would be delivered on behalf of the nation as a significant step in the healing process of those affected.

"The Government recognises the pain and suffering of parents whose children were forcibly removed, and children separated from their parents,'' she said.

Between the 1950s and 1970s about 150,000 unwed Australian mothers had their babies taken against their will by churches and adoption agencies.

daggej@heraldsun.com.au



Originally published as Apology for thousands of adoption victims