Queensland is apologizing to hundreds of men convicted of gay sex offenses, and opening a door to helping them clear their records.

"Today in this Legislative Assembly we place on the record for future generations our deep regret and say to all those affected - we are sorry that the laws of this state - your state - let you down," said Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Consensual gay relations weren't decriminalized until 1990 in Queensland, and 464 men had been convicted under the old laws.  The government introduced a bill to allow those men to apply to the director-general of the Department of Justice and Attorney-General to have their convictions expunged of "acts of gross indecency".

"This Legislative Assembly acknowledges the harm that has been inflicted by past convictions for homosexual activity between consenting adults in Queensland," said Premier Palaszczuk.  "We acknowledge those whose lives were affected, not only those burdened with criminal convictions, but also their partners, their mothers and fathers, their brothers and sisters, their children and all their family and friends."