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The top line: NSW will formally apologise to those who were convicted under laws that criminalised homosexuality, making it the last Australian state to do so.
The bigger picture: Coinciding with 40 years since homosexuality was decriminalised in NSW, the apology will come months after a scathing report found gay hate bias was a likely factor in 25 of 32 suspected homicides between 1970 and 2010.
Last year’s inquiry into suspected hate crimes made 12 recommendations about unsolved murder investigations, including calling for a review of practices, procedures and resources.
The key quote: “I hope that it brings some semblance of closure to those that were unfairly targeted by laws of the day that criminalised gay and lesbian people for being who they are” — NSW Premier Chris Minns.
What else to know: Former premier Neville Wran decriminalised homosexuality in NSW in 1984.
Victoria and South Australia formally apologised in 2016, while Tasmania, Western Australia and Queensland did in 2017 and the Northern Territory in 2018.
What happens now: The formal apology will be issued in parliament.
It’s about time NSW acknowledges the harm caused by criminalising homosexuality. This apology is long overdue, but better late than never.