Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan will formally apologise to Western Australian men who were convicted under laws from when homosexuality was illegal in the state.

The government will introduce legislation this week to allow people convicted under the former laws to have their record wiped clean.

While homosexuality was decriminalized in 1990, and prosecutions for gay sex ended years earlier, men who were convicted of crimes have still had to declare their conviction on some job applications and when travelling overseas. Historical convictions are also taken into account when apply to adopt children.

Families of men who have died may also apply to have their loved ones record amended.

The move follows similar legislation being introduced in other jurisdictions, including Victoria where Premier Daniel Andrews made a historic apology in 2016, which was followed by a similar statement by South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill.

The legislation is expected to be introduced into the parliament on Wednesday. Labor announced they would make the apology prior to the state election.

OIP Staff