Victoria’s Yoorrook Justice Commission is Australia’s first formal truth-telling process, called for by the First Peoples’ Assembly as part of Victoria’s pathway to Treaty.
In June 2020, taking its cue from decades of First Nations community-led and grassroots activism, the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria – as Victoria’s First Nations representative body or ‘Voice’ – called for the commencement of a truth-telling and justice process. In response, the Victorian Government announced its commitment to a truth and justice process designed to be run in parallel with Victoria’s treaty process, and in August 2020 launched a six month co-design process with the First Peoples’ Assembly based on consultation with Aboriginal communities across Victoria.
The Yoorrook Justice Commission – which is independent from both the Assembly and the Victorian Government – was formally announced in March 2021 with the mandate to investigate the truth of historical and contemporary injustices against First Nations Peoples in Victoria since colonisation, and to make recommendations for practical reforms needed in Victoria to address such injustices. Unlike Canada and South Africa’s truth commissions, Yoorrook’s work is not limited to a specific time period.
Yoorrook for Justice: Report into Victoria’s Child Protection and Criminal Justice Systems makes 46 recommendations for reform, including clarifying and strengthening the charter of human rights and responsibilities act.
Chair of Yoorrook Commission, Eleanor Bourke.The Government’s promise to raise the age to 14 was seen as a critical step towards rectifying historical injustices faced by First Peoples. This would move towards a more just and equitable system. Today that promise has been broken.
Throughout 2024, Yoorrook’s Truth Receivers continued assisting First Nations community members to share their truths with the Commission. The Commission heard evidence in July 2024 on matters relating to economic prosperity, housing, education and health. On 4 September 2024, a Descendants Day hearing was held. This was an opportunity for non-Indigenous witnesses to give evidence about the State’s colonial past.
The Vic government committed to delivering the transformative change that is needed in a considered and collaborative way together with First Nations Communities. The government has recognised that the implementation process will extend beyond the Commission’s proposed 12 month timeframe; however, some of the recommendations have already been implemented.
The Yoorrook Justice Commission will run until June 2025 after being granted a 12 month extension by the Victorian Government.
