The Yoorrook Justice Commission’s final report was tabled in Parliament today, making public its findings and recommendations a day after the historic Commission wrapped up its work.
With its release, the final report from Australia’s first formal truth-telling process Yoorrook for Transformation provides an authoritative official public record of this state’s history since colonisation as told by First Peoples.
It details the ongoing impacts of colonisation, racism and intergenerational trauma on First Peoples’ lives today and shares stories of First Peoples’ resistance, courage and survival over hundreds of years. Its recommendations lay out a bold path for reform to create a better future for First Peoples.
First Peoples’ Assembly Co-Chair and proud Gunditjmara man Rueben Berg said that Yoorrook’s final report shows the clear need for change in responding to issues facing First Peoples, which Treaty will deliver.
“Truth and Treaty go hand-in-hand – Treaty will acknowledge our shared history and be an agreement between First Peoples and the Victorian Government on how we move forward together to help right past wrongs.
“Victorians know that we can’t keep doing the same thing and expecting different results. When it comes to issues facing First Peoples, we need a different approach, one that draws on the expertise of First Peoples to design and deliver practical solutions to local challenges. That’s what Treaty is all about.”
The Assembly is currently negotiating the first Statewide Treaty agreement between First Peoples and the Victorian Government.
“Negotiations on the first Statewide Treaty have focussed on First Peoples’ ongoing representation in Victoria and mechanisms an evolved Assembly will have to keep the government accountable to positive outcomes for First Peoples, including on Yoorrook’s recommendations.
“While Yoorrook has wrapped up, truth-telling is an ongoing process and our negotiations have also included how the Assembly will make sure our peoples can continue to have our truths heard, recorded and shared.”
Yoorrook’s Walk for Truth saw thousands of Victorians join the state’s truth-telling journey and received support from Premier Jacinta Allan and Opposition Leader Brad Battin at its conclusion at Parliament House, reminding us that this process is strongest when it has bipartisan support.
Assembly Co-Chair and proud Wamba Wamba, Yorta Yorta, Dhudhuroa and Dja Dja Wurrung woman Ngarra Murray said the last four years have seen Yoorrook not only complete nation-leading Truth-telling, they have also been part of an important healing process across Victoria.
“For the first time, our peoples have had our stories truly heard and valued through a process led by First Peoples, grounded in our culture and Lore.
“Yoorrook has woven the threads of individual First Peoples’ experiences together into a rich account of our collective history and, for the first time, many non-Aboriginal Victorians would have learnt about this shared history because of Yoorrook. The official public record will be an invaluable resource for all Victorians.
“This would not have been possible without the courage and resistance of our peoples – thank you to all First Peoples across the state who provided evidence and shared your story with Yoorrook.”
The next joint update from the Assembly and the Victorian Government on Statewide Treaty negotiations is expected in the coming weeks.
