Julia Gillard Apologises For Forced Adoptions  Australian Prime
Minister Julia Gillard has apologised to up to 150,000 mostly
unmarried mothers who were forced to give up their children for
adoption during the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s.  The historic
national apology was delivered in front of more than 800 people,
many of them in tears, in Parliament House in Canberra.  The
apology was recommended a year ago by a committee in the
Australian Parliament's upper house, the Senate, that
investigated the impacts of the now discredited policies.  "We
apologise," Ms Gillard said. "We acknowledge your loss and
grief."  The women were either tricked or forced to sign
adoption papers by medical and welfare professionals who
believed it was in the best interest of the babies.  There were
even cases of women being strapped to their hospital beds or
sedated as their newborn children were taken away.  Gaye Kelly
gave birth aged just 15 and was told if she did not sign
adoption papers her new baby girl would end up in an orpha