Liberals vote against apology to First Nations people

The Socialist Bulletin Staff - 9/12/2025

In a shocking occurrence, the Liberal and National Coalition in Victoria voted against a motion that apologised to First Nations people for acts committed by the Parliament since colonisation.

New leader of the Liberal Party, the sixth in the past seven years, Jess Wilson, had previously been one of few Liberals to support Treaty, of which this apology was a key part. 

The apology began with a reading of the text of the apology by Premier Jacinta Allan. This was followed by speeches from Ministers, as well as the leaders of the Liberal Party and Greens, all in support of the apology.

Jess Wilson's statement in favour of the apology was notable, as it praised both Jeff Kennett, and, shockingly, John Howard, for doing similar to this apology in the past, despite Howard being infamous for refusing to apologise for the stolen generations. 

Following these statements, the Speaker ordered an oral vote. Despite 'ayes' audibly outnumbering 'nos' by a long way, a division was ordered, to which, shockingly, the National, and then Liberal, whips both announced that their entire parties had voted against the apology motion being carried.

Shouts of "shame" echoed through the chamber after the two whips announced their results. The motion was still carried, thankfully, as the Labor Party, Greens, and Independent MP all voted in favour of the motion.