The NSW Nurses and Midwives Association has issued an apology for the part played by the profession in the forced removal of children for adoption, which occurred until the 1970s.

The union said the practices were "unjust" and "unacceptable" and it should have taken a more vigorous stance against it. A Senate inquiry this year found that up to 250,000 babies in Australia were taken from their mostly young and single mothers. The inquiry chair, Senator Rachel Siewert, said mothers and fathers were pressured into giving up their babies by their families and government and private institutions, including social workers, doctors and nurses. On September 20, the NSW Parliament apologised to those affected by the practices and the lasting damage caused to mothers, fathers...