BackMEDIA RELEASE
4 May 2022
MINISTER FOR ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS AND FIRST PEOPLES ASSEMBLY OF VICTORIA
APPEAR AT YOORROOK JUSTICE COMMISSION
The Yoorrook Justice Commission will this week continue its wurrek tyerrang (public
hearings) with evidence from senior representatives of the State of Victoria, and First
Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria. This is in order to: contextualise Yoorrook’s work relative to
the parallel Treaty negotiation process, and further Yoorrook’s mandate of:
– inquiring into and establishing an official public record of First Peoples’ experiences of
systemic injustice since the start of colonisation, including the harm and trauma of the
past and its continued impact; and
– determining causes and consequences, including the role of State policies and laws.
Marcus Stewart, Co-Chair of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, will appear before the
Yoorrook Justice Commission from 10am on Thursday 5 May 2022. Mr Stewart is expected
to address the systemic and interconnected nature of injustices facing First Peoples in
Victoria since colonisation, and First Peoples’ strength, resilience, and aspirations for the
future, including in the Treaty process.
The Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, the Hon Gabrielle Williams MP will appear from 10am
Friday 6 May 2022. The Minister is expected to acknowledge the post-colonisation history of
State sanctioned injustices against First Peoples and provide an overview of current activity
and reform measures in areas of interest to Yoorrook.
Both sessions will be livestreamed here:
https://yoorrookjusticecommission.org.au/hearings/. Transcripts of the wurrek tyerrang and
the balert keetyarra (witness statements) will be made available on the Yoorrook Justice
Commission website following the appearances.
ENDS
For media enquiries, please contact Porter Novelli:
Andrew Giddings
Mobile: 0413 062 704
Email: agiddings@porternovelli.com.au
Madison West
Mobile: 0433 583011
Email: mwest@porternovelli.com.au