Speeches by Asato.

“What about the question about whether you had recorded whether the baby was a result of sexual abuse, rather than willing consent?”

“What about the question about whether you had recorded whether the baby was a result of sexual abuse, rather than willing consent?”

“Okay. Does any of the rest of the panel know about that particular aspect of unmarried mothers? No? Thank you.”

“I am Jess Asato MP. I want to declare an interest as having formerly worked at Barnardo’s.”

“Peter Forrest, I was interested in your comment that unmarried mothers “fall” pregnant, because actually unmarried mothers did not have an immaculate conception. There was another person involved—a man. I am interested in whether any of the records of adoptions record the father or what led to the mother becoming pregn…”

“What are the implications of increased access to DNA and ancestry testing for individuals affected by historical forced adoption?”

“There is well-documented evidence that mothers and adoptees affected by forced adoption practices can feel shame, self-blame and trauma. We heard that extensively from our first panel. What is your assessment of the current availability of trauma-informed mental health pathways for adult adoptees and birth mothers?”

“Is there any evidence of mothers being misinformed, pressured or denied the opportunity to withdraw their consent?”

“How has the inability to reunite shaped the lives of mothers and their adopted children?”

“Could you talk a little bit more about the oversight mechanisms that you have just mentioned to monitor adoption practices during this period? I think we have heard your answer on this, but I want to ask again, whether those were effective in preventing coercion or malpractice.”

“I am Jess Asato MP. I want to declare an interest as having formerly worked at Barnardo’s.”

“Peter Forrest, I was interested in your comment that unmarried mothers “fall” pregnant, because actually unmarried mothers did not have an immaculate conception. There was another person involved—a man. I am interested in whether any of the records of adoptions record the father or what led to the mother becoming pregn…”

“Some of that crosses over with my next question, which is about what practical changes to post-adoption counselling services would help to ensure that mothers and adoptees can safely access the care that they need. I am quite interested in trauma-informed pathways, because although the evidence base for its effectivene…”

“Is there any evidence of mothers being misinformed, pressured or denied the opportunity to withdraw their consent?”

“Okay. Does any of the rest of the panel know about that particular aspect of unmarried mothers? No? Thank you.”

“How has the inability to reunite shaped the lives of mothers and their adopted children?”

“Do any other panellists have comments on what practical changes we could make to post-adoption counselling?”

“Some of that crosses over with my next question, which is about what practical changes to post-adoption counselling services would help to ensure that mothers and adoptees can safely access the care that they need. I am quite interested in trauma-informed pathways, because although the evidence base for its effectivene…”

“What are the implications of increased access to DNA and ancestry testing for individuals affected by historical forced adoption?”

“You mentioned curriculum pressures. Is there any evidence that the actual curriculum, particularly an over-focus on grammar, can diminish a love of reading into something that is so much about the analysis of the work that it may detract from just the love of just reading the story to understand the narrative and the c…”