The Queensland government has officially apologised to Palm Islanders for the handling of riots following a death in custody in 2004, but the state's police union says it's owed an apology as well.
The government took out newspaper ads on Thursday apologising to residents of the island, expressing deep regret for the assaults, humiliation and violence island residents suffered on the basis of their race.
"The Queensland government acknowledges that men, women and children who were assaulted, or otherwise treated illegally during this time suffered distress, humiliation and violence," the apology reads.
"As a government, we have learned from your significant pain and suffering, and have taken significant steps to ensure that none of our citizens will again suffer discrimination at the hands of their government."
It follows a $30 million settlement for the actions of officers during riots sparked by the death of Cameron Doomadgee, known for cultural reasons as Mulrunji, in the island's watch house.
Palm Island Mayor Alf Lacey said the apology would allow residents to finally put the saga behind them.
"We all need to move on and find a better future for our community," Mr Lacey told AAP.
"We can never undo history, but the important thing is we learn from it, and we hope forever and a day that it never happens to another community, be it a black community or a white community."
However the state's police union is less keen to move on, and believes an apology should be extended to them as well.
"I firmly believe the apology settled by the court should go both ways," President Ian Leavers said in a statement.
"I reject the suggestion that police acted illegally and the fact they received bravery awards for their actions demonstrates that they actually acted with courage."
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Thursday would not comment specifically about the union's position, but said she felt the apology was an end to the matter.
"I think this brings about closure and it is now time for everybody to move on," she said.
The class action was brought by Lex, Cecilia and Agnes Wotton, on behalf of 447 Palm Islanders.
Lex Wotton was sentenced to seven years in prison for inciting the riots in which the watch house and the home of Mr Doomadgee's arresting officer Chris Hurley were torched.
Wotton was released after spending two years in jail. Hurley was originally charged with manslaughter over Mr Doomadgdee's death but was later acquitted.
In ruling in favour of the class action, Federal Court Justice Debbie Mortimer said the conduct of some police officers at the time had contravened the Racial Discrimination Act and were unlawful.
