7news
The Victorian government will apologise for « shameful » historic laws that criminalised homosexuality.
Before 1980, when homosexuality was decriminalised, men could be handed up to 15 years’ jail for consensual sex with other men.
A state apology will take place in parliament in May, Premier Daniel Andrews said on Sunday.
« Sending the strongest message that we are sorry, » he told reporters, while attending the Midsumma Pride March in Melbourne.
« That that was a dark chapter in our state’s history and that we are better than that. »
The government last year moved to expunge criminal convictions for consensual sex and fraternisation.
« It was shameful that our laws prohibited and turned those activities into crimes, » he said.
« Many men have had to live with the difficulties of those criminal records for a very long period of time. »
The apology will take place on May 24.