Deborah O'Neill (Robertson, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I rise on this very significant day in Australia's national history to put on the record my response to the National Apology for Forced Adoption. In particular, I want to acknowledge the member for Swan's participation in the debate as a personal advocate for a life lived with some uncertainty about his connection with place and family. I also want to add to that my acknowledgment of one of the members of my great electorate, Robertson, on the Central Coast, in the formidable form of a wonderful woman by the name of Robin Turner. Anybody who has been involved in the process of bringing this day into being would know that Robin has been a long and steady advocate for achieving this apology today. I want to place on the record in this place today an acknowledgement of her significant contribution to the telling of this shameful and sad part of our history and her dedication to that task. The dignity and courage of her convictions are evident in the way she has attacked this task. It was a great pleasure to see her in the chamber today to be able to hear those remarks from the Attorney-General and from the member for Swan. I thank the House.