Redress
Redress for First Peoples is critical to address historical and ongoing injustices.
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What is Redress?
Yoorrook considered ‘redress’ as a component of the truth-telling process. ‘Redress’ refers broadly to any measure that attempts to correct or remedy rights violations and other harms, including providing compensation or restitution. The State providing redress to First Peoples is a critical component of truth-telling and of addressing historical and ongoing injustices.
Injustices, rights violations and other harms
Yoorrook heard that First Peoples in Victoria have experienced and continue to experience a range of injustices, rights violations and other harms, including:
- Theft of land and waters, dispossession and denial of First Peoples’ property rights, resulting in cultural and economic loss
- The imposition and use of oppressive laws, policies and practices to forcibly expel First Peoples from their lands
- The incarceration of First Peoples by the State and by religious institutions on missions and reserves
- Acts of genocide, massacres, wars, unlawful killings and other violence (including rape and other sexual violence)
- Linguicide and the destruction and suppression of language and culture
- The forced removal of children from their families and communities
- The decimation of the First Peoples population through disease and other health issues
- The servitude of First Peoples and theft of their wages
- The theft and destruction by the State and educational institutions of cultural knowledge, artefacts, ancestral remains and sacred objects
- The exclusion of First Peoples from soldier settlement schemes, and the use of soldier settlement schemes to take First Peoples’ land
- The invasion of First Peoples’ privacy, including through the collection, possession, use and control of data and information about First Peoples
- The exclusion and disadvantaging of First Peoples in the healthcare, education and housing systems and in economic and political life.
Explore other Focus Areas
The issues explored by Yoorrook are deeply connected—experiences in one area often impact outcomes in many others. Continue exploring the broader picture by visiting other Focus Areas below.
Support Resources
If you feel overwhelmed you can call 13 YARN (13 92 76) or Lifeline (13 11 44) for confidential support. For additional support options, visit support resources.
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.
