Prime Minister Julia Gillard has formally apologised to thousands of parents and children affected by the practice of forced adoption that occurred in Australian hospitals in the 1950s, 60s and 70s.
Ms Gillard was speaking ahead of parallel motions being moved in the House of Representatives and the Senate later on Thursday to formalise the apology.
It will say that the parliament, on behalf of the Australian people, takes responsibility and apologises for the policies and practices that forced the separation of mothers from their babies.
TRANSCRIPT: PM's apology to be moved in parliament
"This apology is extended in good faith and deep humility," Ms Gillard said.
Ms Gillard said it took courage to say sorry.
"What we see in that mirror is deeply shameful and distressing," she said.
"A story of suffering and unbearable loss."
The prime minister spoke of young and vulnerable women who lost their children under pressure and sometimes the influence of drugs.
"Most common of all was the bullying arrogance of a society that presumed to know what was best," she said.
"For decades, young mothers grew old haunted by loss."
Ms Gillard also spoke of the children who were adopted, some of whom suffered sexual abuse at the hands of their adoptive parents or in state institutions.
"Many others identified the paralysing effect of self-doubt and a fear of abandonment," she said.
But Australia could not forget the fathers, who were often ignored at the time of the births and whose names were not included on birth certificates.
"No collection of words alone can undo all this damage," Ms Gillard said.
"But by saying sorry we can correct the historical record.
"We can declare that these mothers did nothing wrong.
"That you loved your children and you always will."
"We deplore the shameful practices that denied you, the mothers, the fundamental responsibilities to love and care for your children," she said.
More than 800 women were present in the Great Hall in Parliament House, Canberra, to hear the apology in person.
Some cried, others cheered as the Prime Minister offered a sombre apology for the "shameful practices" that deprived women from keeping their children, and in some cases, not even seeing their infant's face before they were taken away.
A Senate inquiry found about 225,000 children were removed from mostly young and unmarried mothers shortly after they gave birth.
In some cases, women were drugged and tricked into signing adoption papers while still recovering from the birth of their children.
"Most common of all was the bullying arrogance of a society that professed to know what was best," said Ms Gillard.
"Despite all the coercion, many mothers were haunted by guilt for having giving away their child."
The Prime Minister also outlined government funding to assist those affected by forced adoption practices, with $5 million in funding given to helping parents and their children gain access to information.
A further $5 million would be provided for mental health services, and $1.5 million to the national archives for a special exhibition to record the wrongful past practices.
"To address the shameful practices of the past, we are committed to helping those affected get the help they need," she said.
Ms Gillard received a standing ovation after her speech in the Great Hall of Parliament House.
'NO STRONGER BOND THAN THAT BETWEEN MOTHER AND CHILD'
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott told the story of his former girlfriend Kathy Donnelly, who in 1977 gave birth out of wedlock to a son, whom for years Mr Abbott believed was his.
"There is no stronger bond than that between mother and child," he said.
"There are no first or second class mothers ... and every mother has the right to raise her child - we know it now and we should have known it then.
FORCED ADOPTION APOLOGY: ABBOTT'S SPEECH
"We were hard hearted and we were judgmental, that's why we should apologise.
"We did inflict pain on those we loved."
A number of women in the audience began yelling at Mr Abbott when he used the words "birth parents".
He said: "We honour the birth parents, including fathers, who have always loved their children."
Mr Abbott also acknowledged the efforts of adoptive parents, as those in the audience continued to shout.
"I hear what you are saying ... I honour the parents, who have always loved their children," he said.
"The last thing I would wish to do is cause pain to people who have suffered too much pain already.
"I am happy to retract it," he said.
In some quarters, the term "birth parent" is deemed insensitive to women who relinquished their children under difficult circumstances.
The parliamentary motions to be moved on Thursday will also acknowledge the profound effects of forced adoption policies and practices on fathers.
Twitter reactions to the Prime Minister's apology
FORCED ADOPTIONS: A MOTHER'S STORY
1313" >
