Details

To investigate whether past adoption practices were unethical and/or unlawful and make recommendations for services needed for those harmed by such practices.

The Process
The Committee received submissions and held public hearings.

Governing Legislation
Joint select committee of both houses of the Tasmanian Parliament.

Governing Authority
State Government

Inquiry Locations
Australia; Tasmania; Hobart

Public Hearings
Six public hearing were held.

Written Submissions
59 written submissions were received.

Witnesses
40 witnesses gave oral evidence, of which 32 were survivors.

Gender
Survivor witnesses were overwhelmingly female.

Institutions
Maternity homes and maternity hospitals are mentioned in passing but are not the direct focus of the Committee's report. Institutions examined by the inquiry were single sex maternity homes and hospitals.

Findings
The Committee found that past adoption practices had had a significant personal effect on the witnesses who testified, but was unable due to limited or conflicting evidence to make a definitive finding that there were unlawful or unethical practices that denied birth parents access to non-adoption alternatives for their child. The Committee noted that this finding was not to say that such practices did not occur. However, due to lack of records and the death of some potential witnesses it was not possible to reach a definitive conclusion about past practices.

Recommendations
7 recommendations were made. The Committee recommended the establishment of specialised counselling services to be offered at no change to people concerned with adoption during 1950-1998, improved access to records, including search fees for documents waived, better follow up and supervision of children placed for adoption, that birth parents be immediately notified of the death of an adopted child, and that respondents to This Inquiry be encouraged and supported in the publication of their testimonies as an important historical document.

Inquiry Panel

• Hidding, Marinus
• Kons, Steven
• Rattray, Colin
• Smith, Silvia
• Smith, Sue