Queensland govt to apologise for historical gay convictions

Queensland’s government will today introduce a bill that will see historical convictions of gay men wiped from their records.

Both Queensland and Western Australia moved to decriminalise sex between men in 1990, though those convicted under the now obsolete laws still have this reflected on their criminal records.

Queensland’s Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk (pictured), will offer an official apology to the LGBTI community for the state-sanctioned discrimination along with the bill.

The bill, crafted by the state’s Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath, is structured so that those with past convictions may apply to the Department of Justice.

Ms D’Ath said that each case will be considered individually against official records.

Western Australia’s new premier Mark McGowan also pledged to provide expungements for gay men in the lead up to the the state election this year.

Speaking to media, Mr McGowan said a WA Labor government would remove historical convictions for gay men and apologise to those affected by the discriminatory laws.

Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman also issued an apology for past gay convictions earlier this year, as did South Australia’s Jay Weatherill in late 2016.

OIP Staff