Apologies from
states and territories
In addition to national apologies, several state and territory governments have formally acknowledged the harm caused to children in institutional care. These apologies mark important steps toward truth, justice and healing.
QLD Government and churches apology
25 August 1999
The 'Apology to those harmed in Queensland Institutions during their Childhood', given by the Queensland Government and church leaders following the Forde Inquiry.
SA children in state care apology
17 June 2008
The transcript of SA Parliament when Premier M.D. Rann moved a motion for an apology to the child victims of abuse while in state care.
NSW Premier’s apology
19 September 2009
New South Wales Premier, Nathan Rees, held a special ceremony in the Botanic Gardens to formally apologise to the state’s Forgotten Australians and child migrants.
ACT Statement of Regret
17 November 2009
The full Hansard transcript of Jon Stanhope's speech on behalf of the ACT Legislative Assembly to the Forgotten Australians.
WA Premier’s apology to the victims of abuse at St Andrew’s Hostel, Katanning
19 September 2012
The full Hansard transcript of Premier Colin Barnett’s response to the Blaxell Inquiry report - ‘St Andrew’s Hostel Katanning: how the system and society failed our children’.
WA Parliament’s apology for the removal of children from unmarried mothers
19 October 2010
The full Hansard transcript of Premier Colin Barnett’s apology on behalf of the Parliament of Western Australia.
Tasmanian apology for past forced adoption practices
18 October 2012
The full Hansard transcript of Premier Lara Giddings’ apology on behalf of the Tasmanian House of Assembly to people hurt by past forced adoption practices.
Apology to Victims and Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse in Institutional Settings
8 Nov 2022
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff and others delivered a historic apology from parliament to victim-survivors of child sexual abuse in state institutions, almost two years to the day since the government announced an investigation into the allegations.
Victorian Government Apology to Forgotten Australians
9 August 2006
The Victorian Premier Steve Bracks delivered an apology to Forgotten Australians on behalf of the Victorian Government.
Victorian Parliament’s apology for past adoption practices
25 October 2012
The Victorian Parliament's formal apology to the mothers, fathers, sons and daughters affected by past forced adoption practices.
The Parliamentary Apology to Victorians who experienced historical abuse and neglect as children in institutional care
8 February 2024
The Victorian Government made a historic formal apology in Parliament to Victorians who experienced historical abuse and neglect as children in institutional care before 1990.