About the Yoorrook Justice Commission
The Yoorrook Justice Commission is the first formal truth-telling process into historical and ongoing injustices experienced by First Peoples in Victoria.
Chair Bourke and Co-Chair of the First Peoples Assembly of Victoria Geraldine Atkinson at the official launch of the Yoorrook Justice Commission, March 2022The Yoorrook Justice Commission
Yoorrook is led by five Commissioners. Four Commissioners are Aboriginal and 3 are Victorian First Peoples.
Named after the Wemba Wemba/Wamba Wamba word for ‘truth’, the Yoorrook Justice Commission was established in May 2021.
Yoorrook was set up to share and record evidence about the ongoing impact of colonisation on First Peoples. It was given a broad mandate to investigate both historical and ongoing injustices committed against First Peoples in Victoria, across all areas of social, political, cultural and economic life.
Yoorrook is the first and only truth-telling commission in Australia. Although there have been more than 40 other truth commissions established worldwide, Yoorrook is unique. It is designed and led by First Peoples. It is independent of government and afforded the full investigative powers of a Royal Commission. This means it has the power to compel people – including the Premier of Victoria – to appear before it, to answer questions truthfully, and to produce documents and other evidence.
Yoorrook’s mandate
Yoorrook is mandated to promote truth, understanding and transformation. Yoorrook’s work to achieve these goals prioritises and centres First Peoples’ voices, experiences, cultural and human rights, and their right to self-determination.
Truth
Yoorrook created a lasting public record about what happened in the past and is still happening, how it came to occur and who is responsible. It has drawn on a wide range of sources and taken a holistic approach that recognises the diversity, commonalities, and continuities of First Peoples’ experiences.
Understanding
Yoorrook listened to the voices of First Peoples, heard about their experiences and how culture has evolved and survived amid trauma. Sharing these stories helps the broader Victorian community to understand the links between past, present and future.
Transformation
Yoorrook proposed changes to laws, institutions, and systems which can be taken up through treaty negotiations and other ways to build new relationships between all Victorians. These reforms must remedy injustices against First Peoples so that Victoria can turn a new page.
What did Yoorrook do?
During its inquiries, Yoorrook:
- heard stories and gathered information from First Peoples about experiences of past and ongoing injustices
- heard and demonstrated how First Peoples’ cultures and knowledges have survived
- supported First Peoples to share their experiences and to avoid experiencing further trauma
- supported First Peoples’ sovereignty over their knowledge and right to choose how they wish to protect their evidence through Yoorrook’s Indigenous Data Sovereignty protocols, and
- prioritised Victorian First Peoples’ perspectives in the interpretation of the Letters Patent, the conduct of the Commission’s inquiries, and in the recommendations for systemic change and practical changes to laws, policies and practices.
Learn more about the Yoorrook Justice Commission
The history of the commission
In just four years, Yoorrook reshaped the way Victoria understood itself. These were some of the defining moments that cleared the way for healing and a new path forwards.
Where Yoorrook Went
Yoorrook travelled across the state engaging directly with First Peoples and other Victorians to gather testimonies and understand the ongoing impacts of colonisation.
Timeline to Truth
Treaty dialogue begins—Aboriginal Treaty Working Group established to consult First Peoples on treaty process and a representative body
The Andrews Government established a dialogue with First Peoples about Treaties in Victoria. In July 2016 the Aboriginal Treaty Working Group was established to consult with First Peoples about the development of an Aboriginal Representative Body and to provide advice to community and Government on the next steps in the Treaty-making process.
Uluru Statement from the Heart endorsed—Victoria first to commit to Voice, Treaty and Truth
Over 250 First Peoples endorsed the Uluru Statement from the Heart—addressed to the Australian people as an invitation to work together to create a better future. Victoria is the first Australian jurisdiction to commit and action all elements of the Uluru Statement from the Heart—Voice, Treaty and Truth.
Victoria passes Australia’s first Treaty law and begins establishing First Peoples’ Assembly
Australia’s first ever Treaty law passed in the Victorian Parliament, the Advancing the Treaty Process with Aboriginal Victorians Act 2018 (Vic) (Treaty Act). The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Minister Natalie Hutchins MP, said that the Treaty Act marked ‘the start of a new relationship between Aboriginal Victorians and government, one defined by partnership and self-determination’. As required under the Act, the Victorian Treaty Advancement Commissioner, Aunty Jill Gallagher AO, led the design and establishment of a state-wide Aboriginal Representative Body. In 2018, following extensive community consultation, the Commissioner recommended that the Aboriginal Representative Body be known as the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria.
First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria established to represent Aboriginal communities and lead Treaty negotiations
The First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria was established. The Assembly is an independent and democratically elected body for First Peoples. The Assembly represents First Peoples’ interests and has played a key role in establishing the structures for negotiating Treaties with the state.
First Peoples’ Assembly calls for truth-telling; Victorian Government commits to establishing the Yoorrook Justice Commission
In June 2020 the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria called for the establishment of a formal truth-telling process. In July 2020 the Victorian Government committed to establishing a truth and justice process and together with the Assembly developed Yoorrook’s terms of reference.
The First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria and the Victorian Government formally established Yoorrook.
Yoorrook’s Final Reform Report and Official Public record is tabled in Parliament.
Reports and Recommendations
Read the official reports and recommendations of the Yoorrook Justice Commission.
Yoorrook for Transformation
Third Interim Report: A five-volume comprehensive reform report presenting evidence and findings on systemic injustices, and specific recommendations for meaningful change to transform the future, will be available in the coming month.
Truth Be Told
An official public record that documents First Peoples experiences since colonisation, preserves crucial testimonies for future generations and creates an enduring resource for education and understanding, will be available in the coming month.
Recommendations for change
Yoorrook Justice Commission’s recommendations for truth-telling, justice, and systemic reform in Victoria.
