The Prime Minister's apology received a standing ovation. (Tom Constable Photography, Creative Commons)

The apology was given in the Great Hall of Parliament House in Canberra Thursday in front of more than 800 people, who responded with a standing ovation at the end of Gillard's speech.

"Today this Parliament on behald of the Australian people takes responsibility and apologises for the policies and practices that forced the separation of mothers from their babies, which created a lifelong legacy of pain and suffering," Gillard said.

Between WWII and the early 1970s, thousands of unwed Australian mothers were coerced into giving up their babies so that they could be adopted by married couples, which was believed to be in the best interests of the children. A senate committee reccomended a national apology for the now-discredited policy after investigating its effects nationwide.

Gillard also committed five million dollars to services for affected families and to help biological relatives unite. 

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