MELBOURNE – The Victorian government has made a formal state apology to people convicted under historic laws that criminalised homosexuality.

Victorian premier Daniel Andrews addressed state parliament in Melbourne today, apologising to the gay community.

“We apologise for the laws we passed, the standards we set and the lives we ruined,” Premier Andrews said.

“These unjust laws amounted to nothing less than state-sanctioned homophobia.”

“This Parliament is to be formally held to account for designing a cult of hatred. And those who faced its sanction are to be formally recognised for their relentless pursuit of freedom.”

Victoria decriminalised homosexuality in 1980, before which a conviction could lead to penalties of up to 15 years in prison.

Sexual and public morality offences such as buggery, gross indecency with a male and offensive behaviour were once used to criminalise consensual homosexuality throughout Australia.

The apology follows a Victorian scheme to expunge historical convictions for homosexual activity came into effect in September last year.

The expungement scheme enables those who were convicted under the past laws to apply to have those convictions expunged from their criminal records.

– TiVi Tuan-san