A major event on Wednesday August 9, 2006 was the presentation of the Victorian Government Apology on the Victorian Parliament. The Apology was presented not by the Minister for Human Services (the usual procedure) but by the premiere himself, and the Government sent out hundreds of invitations to the event. More than 600 people attended, with the Victorian Government contributing to transport costs for interstate care leavers. Unfortunately there was not enough room in the actual Parliament for everybody to be there in person and many had to listen in a marquee which was set up in the Parliament gardens outside.

Speaking in Parliament on the day, the Minister for Human Services, Sherryl Garbutt, acknowledged that 'whilst institutional care itself may be a thing of the past, its impact is not, and today recognises that'. She said 'My hope is that today's apology will help care leavers know that their experiences are not forgotten and that the Victorian Government deeply regrets their pain and hurt. I hope that hearing this acknowledgement and our formal apology is a small step along the path of healing for so many of the care leavers who are here today.'

Winlaton Girls' Training School, Nunawading

The Apology was issued however not by the Minister but by the Premier, Steve Bracks, and here is what the full text said:

"The Government of Victoria welcomes the report of the Senate Community Affairs References Committee 'Forgotten Australians', tabled in the Senate on 30 August 2004, as it offers an opportunity to offer a public statement of apology about some of the past practices in the provision of out of home care services in Victoria.

The report provides a detailed picture of the life experiences of many people who as children spent all or part of their childhood in institutional care across Australia. The experiences of many of these children were distressing and have had an enduring and detrimental effect on their lives. The Victorian Government believes it is important that these histories are known, heard and acknowledged. The Government is working to ensure that those unacceptable past practices are never again experienced by any Victorian child.

We acknowledge that there have been failures with respect to many children entrusted into care. As a result of being placed in care, many of these children lost contact with their families.

The State, the churches and community agencies cared for thousands of children over the years. For those who were abused and neglected, the mesage we wish to give to them is that we acknowledge their pain and hurt.

We are also committed to working together with survivors of abuse and neglect in care and to promote the healing process.

We take the opportunity provided by the release of this report to express our deep regret and apologise sincerely to all of those who as children suffered abuse and neglect whilst in care, and to those who did not receive the consistent, loving care that every child needs and deserves.