Federal Member for Swan Steve Irons MP will tonight travel to Sydney at the request of the Care Leavers Australia Network (CLAN) to launch the book ‘Journey of Hope’.

The book, authored by CLAN member Dr J Michael Davy, is the inspiring story of how Michael rose above his horror past suffering abuse in state-run institutions to go on to University, where he was the recipient of both Ph.D and prestigious medicine scholarships.

Mr Irons, who as Parliament’s only former ward of the State played a significant role in the apology to the Forgotten Australians in November 2009, said that he was honoured to be approached by CLAN to launch to book.

“This is an inspirational tale and will be read widely by former wards of the state across Australia.

“I hope that it will help CLANNIES realise that they are capable of achieving wonderful things if they can overcome their past” he said.

Mr Irons said he was proud of his own journey from ward of the state to Member of Parliament and would continue to use his position to stand up for CLANNIES across Australia.

The Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP who helped deliver the apology to the forgotten Australians with former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will also be in attendance, along with Jason Clare MP and Richard Marles MP.