Salvation Army Apology

The Salvation Army’s World Leader issued a public apology “to men and women who were children in the care of The Salvation Army in years past” who “suffered abuse and deprivation” as children while in the care of The Salvation Army in Australia. The apology was instigated by Care Leaver Jim Luthy, who wrote to the Salvation Army headquarters in London and led a campaign with the Care Leavers Australasia Network (CLAN).

 

by David McGinniss

Tas Government Apology

The Tasmanian Premier, Jeremy Rockliff, issued an apology in the state parliament for “all victim-survivors of child sexual abuse in Tasmanian Government institutions” which included many Care Leavers.

by David McGinniss

Victorian Forced Adoption Apology

The Victorian Parliament issued an official apology, to “the mothers, fathers, sons and daughters who were profoundly harmed by past adoption practices in Victoria.”

by David McGinniss

National Forced Adoption Apology

Prime Minister Julia Gillard delivered a public apology on behalf of the Australian Government to people affected by forced adoption or removal practices and policies in Australia.

by David McGinniss

National Apology to Stolen Generations

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd offered a formal apology to Australia's Indigenous people, particularly the Stolen Generations, on behalf of the Australian Parliament.

"We apologise for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians.
We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country.
For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry.
To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry.
And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry."

by David McGinniss

National Apology to Forgotten Australians and Child Migrants

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd issued a national apology to Forgotten Australians and Child Migrants in the Great Hall of Parliament House in Canberra. "We come together today to deal with an ugly chapter in our nation’s history … To say to you, the Forgotten Australians, and those who were sent to our shores as children without your consent, that we are sorry." Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, 2009.

by David McGinniss