Motions — National Day of Reflection for Survivors of Abuse in State and Faith-based Care—Acknowledgment

I move, That this House acknowledge today, the National Day of Reflection for survivors of abuse in State and faith-based care.

One year ago today, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, on behalf of this House of Representatives and Governments past and present, apologised for the abuse and neglect suffered by children, young people, and vulnerable adults in State and faith-based care, and for the torture of children and young people at the Lake Alice child and adolescent unit. It was an apology that this House acknowledges, while meaningful for many survivors, can never undo the harm, the trauma, and the disenfranchisement inflicted on tens of thousands of people who should have been protected and cared for, and, instead, they were utterly let down and were failed.

Today, a year on from the apology, marks the National Day of Reflection. Around New Zealand, 65 events led by survivor communities and their supporters are commemorating the day in ways that are important to them. It is important that this House acknowledge today the harm that was caused to so many and the devastating impact it has had on their lives, and the critical and ongoing work that I know every member across this Parliament is committed to do to ensure that such terrible events can never happen again, so that the wrongs of the past are not repeated.

Motion agreed to.

Members stood as a mark of respect.