Premier Jacinta Allan on Tuesday issued a formal apology in the Victorian parliament for laws, policies and practices that contributed to injustices against Aboriginal people in the state.

Laws and policies of colonial and state governments enabled injustices not by accident but design and Victoria would “no longer look away” from the truth, she said.

“To ensure that the wrongs of the past are never repeated, we say sorry,” Allan told the packed lower house.

“For the laws, the policies and the decisions of this parliament and those that came before it, laws that took land, removed children, broke families and tried to erase culture, we say sorry.

“For the tears shed in the dark, for the silence that shadowed their years, for the child taken and never returned, for the Stolen Generations, we say sorry.”

Parliament was recalled for a special sitting to hear the apology, which was recommended by the Yoorrook Justice Commission and committed to under Victoria’s Australian-first statewide treaty.

The Victorian Opposition did not support the apology as the wording “endorsed” treaty, which the coalition opposes and has vowed to repeal within 100 days if it wins the November 2026 state election.

The apology motion was rejected by the coalition, although the vote still passed 56-27.

As the Liberal and Nationals whips announced their parties’ votes, Labor MPs shouted “shame”.

The chamber erupted into applause when the final count was announced.

The statewide treaty establishes Gellung Warl as a legislated, democratically elected body that must be consulted on laws and policies affecting Aboriginal Victorians.

Other measures include truth-telling in Victorian public schools, a process to rename geographic features with names considered offensive to Aboriginal people and a requirement for legislation to be assessed for treaty compatibility.

Opposition Leader Jess Wilson apologised for past laws and policies that caused hurt and injustice but noted the moment was not unprecedented.

In 1997, Liberal premier Jeff Kennett apologised in state parliament to Aboriginal people on behalf of all Victorians for past policies that led to the removal of their children.

That apology garnered bipartisan support.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd also offered a formal apology to all Indigenous Australians, particularly the Stolen Generations, in 2008.

Wilson said the modern-day political dispute was a difference in approach not the substance of the issue, and pledged to address Aboriginal disadvantage if she was elected premier.

“Actions matter and they matter far more than mere sentiments,” she said.

“Too often, we hear a sentiment expressed in the community that we have inherited collective guilt.

“I believe what we have inherited is a responsibility to address persistent and unacceptable Indigenous disadvantage.”

Legislation to enable the treaty with Aboriginal people passed parliament in October after terms were agreed by the state Labor government and First Peoples’ Assembly.

Yoorrook laid out the way forward to help right the wrongs of the past, assembly co-chair Rueben Berg said.

“Treaty is how we get there,” the Gunditjmara man said.

“Over the last decade, we have reset the relationship between First Peoples and government, and today’s apology forms part of this reset.”

A public celebration will be held on Friday evening at Melbourne’s John Cain Arena after the treaty officially commences.

Baker Boy, Briggs, Missy Higgins and Yothu Yindi - the band behind 1991 song Treaty - are among artists slated to perform.

AAP