Adopted people stigmatised with Government’s proposed information and tracing legislation

Adopted people are being stigmatised in the same manner as their mothers were, decades before, with the Government’s proposed new information and tracing legislation.

Susan Lohan of the Adoption Rights Alliance (ARA), referenced the proposal in the bill to make adoptees sign an “undertaking” not to contact their natural mothers before information is released relating to their birth.

The undertaking is required where a person adopted prior to the commencement of the legislation is seeking his/her birth certificate. This is required unless the natural parent is dead or indicated that they are willing to have contact.