The Tasmanian premier, Will Hodgman, has apologised in parliament after he suggested that the state’s opposition leader should kill himself.

The Liberal leader on Tuesday, during a sitting of the Tasmanian lower house, told Labor leader Bryan Green to “slit your wrists, mate”.

“Yesterday in this place I made comments which are entirely unacceptable and deeply offensive,” the premier said during a statement on indulgence on Wednesday.

“While I did apologise then to the leader of the opposition, an apology which was sincere, and an apology which I repeat to the leader now and to all members of this parliament,” he said on Wednesday.

“My unconditional apology also extends to the broader Tasmanian people who I’ve let down.

“There’s no excuse, my comments were inappropriate, insensitive and unacceptable and I will now make every effort to right the wrongs I have caused by my comments.”

The remark sparked an outburst on social media with many comments slamming the state leader.

Criticism came from further afield with Beyondblue chairman and former Victorian Liberal premier Jeff Kennett labelling Hodgman’s remarks unfortunate and inappropriate.

“It’s inappropriate, and its not something Will would normally do,” Kennett told Fairfax.

“It just shows that as public figures we’ve got to be very, very careful.”

A short time after making the comment, Hodgman told reporters that sometimes “in the heat of the moment” people say things they don’t mean.

“The usual rough and tumble of parliament often causes all members of the place to say things they perhaps shouldn’t and this is one such occasion.”

Since coming to power in 2014 the Tasmanian Liberal government has championed its support of depression and suicide support services.