More than 800 people affected by forced adoptions will gather in Canberra today to hear Prime Minister Julia Gillard deliver a national apology.
Tens of thousands of Australians were affected by the forced adoption practices that were in place in Australia from the late 1950s to the 1970s.
The apology will be offered as a significant step in the healing process for the mothers and fathers - now-adult children who were forcibly separated, as well as their siblings and extended family members.
In her speech, to be held in the Great Hall of Parliament House, Ms Gillard will say the apology is a sign of the country's willingness to right an old wrong and face a hard truth.
Ms Gillard will also announce $5 million to improve access to specialist support, records tracing and mental health care for those affected by forced adoption.
A further $1.5 million will go to the National Archives for a special exhibition.
Separated
Parents and children separated by past policies and practices of forced adoption tell their very per...
Following the public event, a motion of apology will be moved in both houses of Parliament.
Those affected by the forced adoptions have been lobbying for an apology since Kevin Rudd said sorry to the Stolen Generations in 2008.
The head of the Apology Alliance, Christine Cole, lost a child through forced adoption practices and says the apology has been a long time coming.
"It is an historical day for me and one that I have worked towards since 1994, I have been involved in bringing this issue to the public and educating the public about what happened to us," she said.
read more:http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-03-21/gillard-to-deliver-forced-adoption-apology/4585450
