The Yoorrook Justice Commission has welcomed the Victorian Government’s announcement today that the state’s public drunkenness laws will finally be abolished in November, and not replaced by new police powers to move on or arrest a person for being drunk in a public place.

The Yoorrook Justice Commission will hear evidence about the injustices faced by First Peoples in Victoria’s criminal justice system next week. About 30 witnesses are expected to appear before the inquiry, including legal experts and practitioners, Victoria Legal Aid, and the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service.

On Monday, the Yoorrook Justice Commission will begin two weeks of public hearings investigating the harm done to First Peoples by unjust laws and practices within Victoria’s criminal justice and child protection systems.

The Yoorrook Justice Commission has today announced its upcoming investigation into the impact of the child protection and criminal justice systems on First Peoples in Victoria.

The Yoorrook Justice Commission is calling on all Victorian First Peoples to tell their truth about any ongoing or historic injustice through a new online submission portal launched today.

The Yoorrook Justice Commission welcomes today’s announcement of an agreed Treaty Negotiation Framework by the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria and the State Government.