Rachel asked the Attorney-General when the government will implement recommendation 24, as stated in the “2022 Government Response to the Recommendations of the Inquiry into responses to historical forced adoption in Victoria.“
Recommendation 24 proposed that “The Victorian Government investigate removing the requirement to prove a significant injury has been suffered as a result of the separation of mother and baby in relation to personal injury claims made under the Wrongs Act 1958 (Vic).” This recommendation is yet to be implemented.
Thursday the 15th of May, 2025
Victorian Legislative Council
Rachel PAYNE (South-Eastern Metropolitan):
To ask the Minister for Casino, Gaming and Liquor Regulation (for the Attorney-General): My constituent is a proud mother and grandmother from Dandenong. She was 18 when her first child was born in 1967. Before she could hold her newborn the baby was taken for adoption without her consent.
For decades my constituent has been fighting for justice alongside an estimated 250,000 Australians impacted by forced separation and closed adoption. At its height, from the 1950s through to the early 1980s, these mothers endured abhorrent treatment.
Recommendation 24 of the inquiry into responses to historical forced adoption in Victoria called for changes to the Wrongs Act 1958 to give these mothers greater access to justice. Despite the Victorian government’s commitment to exploring the reform, nothing has changed.
So my constituent asks: when will the government implement recommendation 24?
[Written response pending]
Related:
> Vicarious liability law reform is a matter of urgency – Rachel Payne
> Justice access for child sexual abuse victim-survivors – Rachel Payne
> No public trust without police accountability – Rachel Payne
> Support Services – Rachel Payne
External:
> Reports – Inquiry into responses to historical forced adoptions in Victoria – Parliament of Victoria
