Forced Adoptions Implementation Working Group

The Forced Adoptions Implementation Working Group (Working Group) held the key advisory role for the implementation of the Australian Government’s response to the 2012 Senate Community Affairs References Committee report recommendations.

The Terms of Reference outline the roles and responsibilities of the Working Group. This panel of experts, including mothers, fathers, adoptees and three Senators, were appointed to the Working Group to provide key advice to Government on services and projects to improve support for people who have been affected by forced adoption practices. Professor, the Honourable, Nahum Mushin chaired the Working Group.

The Terms of Reference for the Implementation Working Group were from 16 May 2013 to 31 December 2014. The Implementation Working Group ceased following the delivery of their Final Report.

The Forced Adoptions Implementation Working Group Final Report, December 2014 was tabled in both Houses of Parliament on 5 December 2016 by the then Minister for Social Services, the Hon Christian Porter MP.

Forced Adoptions Implementation Working Group Meetings

The Terms of Reference and Statement of Purpose for the Implementation Working Group were agreed to at the first Forced Adoptions Implementation Working Group meeting.

Summaries and outcomes of the working group meetings are available at Forced Adoptions Implementation Working Group Documents.

The Forced Adoptions Implementation Working Group met on the following dates:

  • 9 July 2013 in Hobart
  • 31 October 2013 in Canberra
  • 20 March 2014 in Canberra
  • 19 August 2014 via teleconference
  • 6 November 2014 via teleconference
  • 5 December 2014 in Canberra.

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