VICTORIA FINALLY SAYS SORRY: State Government Makes Historic Apology to Aboriginal Victorians After Decades of Violence and Dispossession
- The Victorian government has made a formal apology to Aboriginal Victorians for the “profound and undeniable harms” inflicted upon them.
- The apology was negotiated as part of the state’s historic treaty agreement, which was signed into law last month.
- Labor and Greens MPs voted for the apology motion, while Liberal and National MPs voted against it, sparking outrage from Indigenous leaders.
- The apology marks a major step forward in the state’s reconciliation journey, but Indigenous leaders warn that “words alone are not enough” and that real action is needed to address the ongoing disparities faced by Aboriginal Victorians.
In a powerful and emotional speech, Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said the parliament expressed its “formal and sincere apology” to the First Peoples of Victoria for the harms inflicted upon them from the “actions and inactions of the state” and “the colony that came before it”.
“Decisions made in this parliament over its long history have long denied the First Peoples of its lands, their rights and their self-determination,” Ms Allan told parliament.
“Today, this parliament becomes a place of reckoning, and that reckoning has meaning for all of us who call Victoria home.”
Ms Allan said the apology was just the beginning of a transformative process for Victoria, and that the state would work to address the ongoing disparities faced by Aboriginal Victorians.
“We know that words alone are not enough,” she said.
“We must work together to create a brighter future for all Victorians, one that is built on respect, recognition, and reconciliation.”
However, the apology was not without controversy, with Liberal and National MPs voting against the motion.
Opposition leader Jess Wilson said the Coalition would address the “continued disadvantage” of Aboriginal people if elected in 2026, but Indigenous leaders slammed the party’s decision to vote against the apology.
Travis Lovett, the deputy chair of the Yoorrook Justice Commission, said the Victorian opposition had been “very disrespectful” to the historic moment.
“A lot of dog-whistling going on, a lot of trying to deflect and talk about what they’ve done and trying to take away from the moment,” he told reporters at parliament.
For community leaders like Gary Murray, member for metro region in the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, the day marked the climax of a long journey.
“It was pretty emotional, I think it’s a long time forthcoming,” he said.
Mr Murray said the apology was just the beginning of a transformative process for Victoria, and that the state had a long way to go in addressing the ongoing disparities faced by Aboriginal Victorians.
“It’s not the end, we’ve got to keep going, we’ve got to keep the pressure on,” he said.
“We’ve got to start doing local treaties as well as statewide treaties, there’s more to come.”
Aunty Esme Bamblett, co-chief executive of the Aborigines Advancement League, said she felt a mix of sadness and joy about the apology.
“I’m really sad that they had to apologise, that so much has happened to cause that,” she said.
“But it also makes me glad that we’ve finally gotten an apology after all these years.”