Origins SPSA Inc
ABN 48 507 164 002. DGR
PO Box W18FairfieldWest NSW 2165
The Honorable Pru Goward MP
Parliament House
Sydney NSW
Re Forced Adoption Apology
Dear Ms Goward/Pru
I am writing both as the national Coordinator Origins SPSA Incand as a member of the Liberal Party NSW
I would bring your attention to the up-coming proposed “Forced Adoption Apology” to be delivered by the parliament of New South Wales.
The integrity of apology by the NSW government in effect will be “cast in stone” and as such it needs to be an event that is seen not only to be sincere, but also addresses and acknowledges past wrongs, not only defined by the recent Senate Inquiry, but also the NSW parliamentary inquiry report “Releasing the Past 2000” as illegal, unlawful and unethical
As the organisation that has called for both inquiries the committee of Origins Inc is not only concerned with the lack of wider consultation and engagement with the adoption affected community,but the haste in which this “historic” event is to be held.
We are also concerned in regard to the lack of communication to whether the NSW government is attempting to follow the senate report recommendations 3 and 6 which outline the form that any apologies should address
As a committee that represents those affected by forced adoption, we are asking if the NSW government is making any attempt to provide some sort of framework that includes
- Post adoption support i.e specialized counseling, etc
- Waiving of information fees
- Funding and support for organisations such as Origins Inc, that has had to rely on the generosity if its members to continue to provide services
- Any other information to inform the wider public on the issues of forced adoption i.e educational material etc
As an organisation that has lobbied for many years and has been treated with indifference by the adoption community,and inparticular by the former state government we are now looking at this current government to take up the challenge and attempt to reconcile its standing in the community, that has seen an estimated 86,000 adoptions since the 1950s in NSW
The committee of Origins, before it accepts any apology given by any State government and in particular the Commonwealth, would like to see not only a sincere acknowledgment of the past wrongs, but all the principles of the Canadian Law Commission in regard to apologies enacted, and as recommended by the Senate committee report
We are asking you, if that is going to be the foundation of the proposed apology and if not why?
Given the immediacy of the proposed apology we look forward to your prompt response
Yours Sincerely
Lily Arthur
Coordinator Origins SPSA Inc
Ph 02 9604 9352
Fax 02 9604 1950
Mob 0411 164 964