Releasing the Past - Adoption Practices 1950 - 1998

This report provides valuable information about the adoption experience and is an account of the dramatic changes in adoption practice between 1950 and 1998. It is a testament to the effect of past adoption practice on the lives of many people in this State. The inquiry has heard allegations ranging from poor and inappropriate practices to very serious breaches of ethics and law. This report describes and examines adoption practices and the allegations of illegal and unethical behaviour.

This is the final report of the inquiry into adoption practices. In November 1998 the Committee published the transcript of evidence from 27 August 1998 to 19 October 1998 as the first interim report. The second interim report containing transcript of evidence from 16 June 1999 to 25 October

1999 was published in June 2000. This final report is based on all the evidence presented to the inquiry including submissions and formal evidence, as well as research material.