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Good news! On 1 Feb 2010 the state of Queensland, Australia, changed the Adoption Act so that now no one can be denied access to their information. According to Jigsaw Queensland, a key post-adoption support organisation, each year over 500 Queenslanders, just under 10 per week, apply for identifying information about their birth relatives. Previously if there was an objection for contact, the objection would stay in place until the person lodging the objection revoked. If the objector died, the no-contact/no access to info would stay in place forever. Now the legislation has been changed so that NO ONE can be denied their information once the adopted person turns 18 years old. Individuals may still lodge a preference for no contact, but so long as the person seeking the information agrees not to contact the person, they will be given their information. Also, the government committed AU$1.2million over 3 years to provide post-adoption support services including a telephone hotline and face-to-face counselling, for all people affected by adoption. [URL="http://www.childsafety.qld.gov.au/legislation/adoption/reform/index.html"]New adoption laws for Queensland, Child Safety Services[/URL] I think these changes, in conjunction with the Western Australian government's March 2010 apologies for harsh adoption practices [URL="http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/6889508/state-to-apologise-for-harsh-adoption-acts/"]State to apologise for 'harsh' adoption acts - The West Australian[/URL] and the Australian Prime Minister's apology last year to children who grew up in foster care or orphanages [URL="http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/rudd-leads-emotional-apology-to-children-removed-from-families/story-e6frg6nf-1225798179628"]Rudd leads emotional apology to children removed from families | The Australian[/URL] , are major milestones! I thought I'd share this info (even 'tho it's late) in case it helps encourage others to advocate for change in their respective communities. And in the meantime, for all adoptees who are just starting to embark on their search and wondering whether others are facing similar challenges, may you take heart in knowing that in almost any given week, at least 10 others in the world, in the remote part of Queensland, Australia, are most likely walking in similar shoes to yours!
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