"I plan to sue Australian government" - Gwent mum (From South Wales Argus)

"I plan to sue Australian government" - Gwent mum

2:11pm Monday 28th May 2007 in News

LEONIE Pope is now planning to sue the Australian Government for separating her from her family.

She says she is disgusted that so many children were removed and is determined to highlight her story to help others.

At the very least she wants Australian authorities to pay for her return to her home country including the cost of buying a house.

"It's the least they can do," she said.

"They took me away from my life so they should now help me get it back."

Under parliament acts policemen and other agents were given the power to locate and transfer babies and children of mixed race from their mothers or families into institutions.

By around the age of 18 children were released from government control.

In 2002 the fiilm Rabbit-Proof Fence was released which told the story of how one Aboriginal family was affected.

The Australian High Commission in the UK refused to comment on the case.