WILL THE APOLOGY TO BE GIVEN BY PREMIER NEWMAN BE A “TOKEN” APOLOGY?

On 23^rd August 2012, Premier Newman announced there would be an apology give for Forced Adoption Policies and Practices. Queensland is the last state to offer an apology.

On 9^th November 2012, a joint statement by Premier Newman and Minister Tracy Davis announced 27^th November 2012 would be the date of the Official State Apology for Forced Adoption Policies and Practices.

With only 12 working days to formulate and plan for this apology, Minister Tracy Davis has had meetings with ALAS and other “Key Stakeholders” to hear how the apology could be framed.
BY cob, 20^th November 2012, WITH 5 WORKING DAYS TO GO, ALAS has not had contact from Premier Newman’s office to have a meeting to discuss with us the content of this apology. ALAS has worked very hard to help obtain this historic apology.  
The Queensland Government has allowed 30 minutes to deliver apologies from all sides of the house.
Victoria’s apology lasted approximately 2 hours!
Tuesday 20^th November 2012, guests received their online invitations. The time listed on this invitation is, 1pmto 2pm.

The time for the speeches for the apologies in Parliament is 12.30pm and the refreshments is 1pm!

  Anyone who received this invitation will miss all the speeches!

With the short period of time given to all people affected by forced adoption throughout Queensland to organise transport and accommodation to attend this apology we ask;

DOES THE QUEENSLAND PREMIER WANT THIS DARK PERIOD OF QUEENSLAND’S HISTORY OF FORCED ADOPTIONS TO REMAIN SECRET?

The number of “known” adoptions for Queensland is, 35,766. This only covers the period from 1945 to 1980.

Apart from the advertisement in the Courier Mail on 10^th November 2012, there has been no media coverage  that we know of, of this forthcoming historic event, with the exception of the an article in the North Coast local newspaper and another small article in the Redcliffe and Bayside Herald which gave information on how to attend the apology. The closing date to attend was 19 th November 2012.

We know there will be full media coverage on the day but this will be too late to attend in person.

Will this apology show compassion,honesty and transparency?

 Margaret Oakhill-Hamilton.