Newman sorry for forced adoptions

QUEENSLAND has formally apologised for the paincaused by the forced adoption of babies from mothers who did not want to give them up.

QUEENSLAND has joined the growing number of states to formally apologise for the pain, trauma and grief caused by the forced adoption of babies from mothers who did not want to give them up.

Premier Campbell Newman and Opposition Leader Annastacia Palaszczuk each apologised for the discredited practice on behalf of past state governments.

More than 200 people packed the public galleries of state parliament for the historic announcement, which brings Queensland into line with Victoria, NSW, Western Australia and Tasmania in saying sorry to the thousands who were affected by forced adoptions.

These frequently involved single mothers who had a baby taken from them immediately or soon after giving birth.

"Today, the Queensland parliament offered its unreserved and sincere apology to all those families broken apart by past forced adoption policies and practices, and committed to ensuring these are not forgotten and never repeated," Mr Newman said.

"This was a devastating experience and a very sad time in this state's history, which has seen many of those affected continue to be haunted by what happened to them.

"While an apology cannot change what has happened in the past, I am hopeful that it will go some way to easing the pain felt by people and assist them with their healing process."

Ms Palaszczuk said forced adoptions had continued into the 1980s.

"These are stories that provide a shocking picture of young mothers and fathers misled and intimidated," she told state parliament.