Premier Lara Giddings has begun delivering an emotional apology on behalf of the Tasmanian community to mothers, fathers and children affected by the past practice of forced adoptions.
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CLICK HERE TO READ THE PREMIER'S SPEECH TO PARLIAMENT
``We deeply regret that these past practices have caused great pain and suffering to mothers and their children, who are now adults, and have profoundly affected the lives of fathers, grandparents, siblings, partners and other family members,'' Ms Giddings said.
``To those people who have held their pain close for so many years, who have lived their lives under a shadow of secrecy, shame, anger, guilt and deeply held trauma and loss, we offer you our unreserved and sincerest apologies.''
Ms Giddings broke down as she told of mothers who were never given the opportunity of holding or naming their child.
The public gallery is almost full of people affected by forced adoptions and others are watching the apology on a screen set up in the Parliament's reception room.
