Mr SUKKAR (Deakin) (09:16): On behalf of the opposition, I join with the Minister for Social Services today in commemorating and acknowledging the 15th anniversary of the national apology in this place to forgotten Australians and former child migrants and, consistent with the minister's fine words, recognise the unforgiveable treatment of children in out-of-home-care institutions across our nation. On this day in 2009, parliament came together and issued a national apology to the Australian born children in out-of-home care, often referred to as the forgotten Australians and, in addition, the former child migrants who endured appalling neglect, deprivation and abuse in institutions across Australia throughout the 20th century. This was a very dark chapter in our nation's history—a history that saw thousands of vulnerable children being let down by the very systems meant to protect them. This apology was absolutely necessary, and it was a step towards healing for all those who endured suffering. But it also serves as a reminder to all of us to learn from the huge mistakes of the past. Today, on the 15th anniversary of that apology, we once again remember the more than half a million people who were placed in institutional care as children—an eye-watering number. Many experienced mistreatment. Some endured horrific sexual abuse. And in nearly every case those children were deprived of the care, compassion, support and love that every child deserves as a fundamental right. In addition, between 1947 and 1953, thousands of children, mostly from the United Kingdom and some also from Malta, were sent to Australia under child migration schemes. These schemes were framed as efforts to ease overcrowded British welfare institutions and uprooted children from their families and homelands with the promise of a better life. The reality, however, was that this promise was never met. These children, some as young as three years old, were placed into institutions across Australia, commonly run by charitable organisations. While governments in Australia and abroad provided financial support for these arrangements, the responsibility of care was severely mishandled. For the forgotten Australians who found themselves in similar institutions, the experience was no less harrowing. Over half a million children were removed from their families and placed in institutions and homes during the 20th century. These homes, as the minister has outlined, were poorly resourced and inadequately supervised, and they ultimately became environments where abuse, neglect and exploitation were rampant. Life in these institutions was cruel, and the spirit of all those children was broken. Many vulnerable children were stripped of their name and identities. They were reduced to being referred to as numbers and denied basic rights such as contact with their families or maintaining possession of personal belongings. Birthdays and other milestones were never celebrated and the innocence of childhood was lost. They were not believed when they sought help and their voices were silenced by a system that failed them at almost every level. Through the testimonies provided, we know of cases where children were removed from their unwed mothers and sent to orphanages; cases where parents passed away and the children simply had nowhere else to go; cases where children were told they weren't wanted or didn't deserve love; cases where siblings were torn apart without any concept of what it feels like to grow up in a family; cases where women deliberately had their hair cut short and were made to feel like prisoners; cases where children were forced into hard manual labour on rural farms; cases where children were forced onto psychotic medications if they resisted; and cases where the sterile conditions of institutionalised childhoods permanently prevented individuals from having the ability to express any emotion throughout their lives. By the 1970s institutionalised care models were phased out, thankfully, in favour of smaller group homes and foster care arrangements. However, the trauma stayed. It wasn't until the 1980s and 1990s when a number of growing complaints about institutional care and attempts to reunite families brought about a national discussion. Survivors began sharing their stories and the broader public started to understand the magnitude of their experiences. Advocacy groups referred by to by the minister such as the Care Leavers Australasia Network, the Alliance for Forgotten Australians and the Child Migrants Trust played a vital role in bringing these stories to light. Their efforts led to the Senate inquiries in 2000 and 2003 where survivors bravely recounted their experiences. These inquiries exposed the systematic failures that allowed such abuse to occur and recommended an official apology to those affected. On that historic day in 2009 the Australian government confronted the uncomfortable truth and apologised and acknowledged the grave failures of governments and institutions, pledging support to survivors in their journey towards healing. As part of this commitment, the Find and Connect program, as the minister has referred to, was introduced. This initiative, which continues to receive funding, assists survivors in accessing records, reconnecting with family and, of course, reconciling with their past. With $23½ million allocated through to 2026, the program provides specialist counselling, referral services, peer support and educational resources. We commend the government for continuing this funding. Today, we remember every child that has suffered at the hands of these institutions, and we honour their resilience to share those painful memories. They are never far from our thoughts. Ultimately, the national apology was not just an act of recognition; it was a promise to remember, to reflect and to act, ensuring we always safeguard the rights and wellbeing of all our children today and into the future.