The Federal Government's apology tomorrow to those left in orphanages and foster care across the country after World War II is a significant shift forward in what has been a slow-moving recognition of a damaging and shameful period in Australian history.

Like the ''Stolen Generation'' of Aboriginal children who were removed from their homes in a bid to assimilate them into white culture, the ''Forgotten Australians'' were children institutionalised in often cruel, harsh environments with little or no prospects of a decent education, and no contact with, or records of, their past. And similar to the Stolen Generation, their stories were hidden away, covered up, or simply denied.

Some 500,00 people are estimated to be among those affected by the brutal policies of the last century, among them, 3000 British migrant children who were shipped to Australia to boost our young population in the post-war years.

Grim tales of beatings, molestation and emotional abuse have made officials weep, have sparked statewide apologies and national and state-wide support services.

In 1997, the world watched as Britain brought their orphans home to ask their forgiveness and to help them reconnect with lost relatives in a process of healing.

While it is now more than a decade since Britain acknowledged its part in a cruel and illegal migration policy, it was not until a Senate report in 2001 and again, three years later, in the 2004 Forgotten Australians Senate report, that a Federal Government was made to consider its accountability.

The report made some 39 recommendations, the first of which was to make an official apology to orphans. It it has taken a further five years and a new government for Recommendation One to eventuate. There are 38 to go.

Brave stance.

ACT Government Minister Andrew Barr and his partner Anthony Toms, are to be congratulated for their very moving civil partnership celebration yesterday.

Some would say it was a brave stance for Mr Barr, a person of public title, to boldly challenge the stereotype.

It can only be hoped that one day it will no longer be a ''brave'' act, but simply a special day.