Terms of reference

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Child migration to Australia under approved schemes during the twentieth century, with particular reference to the role and responsibilities of Australian governments and to the issues listed in the following paragraphs:

1. in relation to government and non-government institutions responsible for the care of child migrants:
   
   
   1. whether any unsafe, improper, or unlawful care or treatment of children occurred in such institutions, and
      
      
   2. whether any serious breach of any relevant statutory obligation occurred during the course of the care of former child migrants;
   
   
2. the extent and operation of measures undertaken or required to assist former child migrants to reunite with their families and obtain independent advice and counselling services;
   
   
3. the effectiveness of efforts made during the operation of the child migration schemes or since by Australian governments and any other non-government bodies which were then responsible for child migration to:
   
   
   1. inform the children of the existence and whereabouts of their parents and/or siblings,
      
      
   2. reunite or assist in the reunification of the child migrants with any of their relatives, and
      
      
   3. provide counselling or any other services that were designed to reduce or limit trauma caused by the removal of these children from their country of birth and deportation to Australia ;
   
   
4. the need for a formal acknowledgment and apology by Australian governments for the human suffering arising from the child migration schemes;
   
   
5. measures of reparation including, but not limited to, compensation and rehabilitation by the perpetrators; and
   
   
6. whether statutory or administrative limitations or barriers adversely affect those former child migrants who wish to pursue claims against individual perpetrators of abuse previously involved in their care.

Note: The Senate varied the terms of reference on 7 September 2000.

For further information, contact:

Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committees on Community Affairs
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia

Phone:	+61 2 6277 3515
Fax:	+61 2 6277 5829
Email:	community.affairs.sen@aph.gov.au