Truth-telling has never been more important

This opinion piece was first published by the National Indigenous Times on October 14, 2024.

One year ago, Australia made a choice for First Peoples.

The referendum campaign was bitter and divisive. It was confronting for First Peoples, who had our cultures, our history and even our Aboriginality suddenly being scrutinised under the public spotlight.

Some of that ‘public discussion’ was deeply racist, and many of those views have only been further emboldened in the everyday by the referendum’s failure. Suddenly there is no filter.

In many ways the referendum result was not surprising, given our nation’s past and the way that past is told.

During his evidence to the Yoorrook Justice Commission, Victoria’s truth-telling process, Education Minister Ben Carroll acknowledged the “historical failings of the state’s education system”.

“Since colonisation schools have played a significant role in reinforcing racist perceptions and stereotypes about First Peoples, and perpetuate false narratives about cultural history,” he said.

“These effects can be seen in the racism that continues to be experienced by First Peoples.”

History is generally written by those in power, and this has held true in Victoria.

Truth-telling is about hearing the stories that have not been told and presenting a fuller picture of our history.

It is about listening to and learning from First Peoples about the full truth of what really happened, so we can understand how the past connects to the present, and all move forward together with honesty and respect.

Despite the referendum result 12 months ago, Yoorrook continues this vital work, dragging the dark truths of the state’s history into the light.

And the truth is, since the first permanent European settlement was established on Gunditjmara Country 190 years ago next month, First Peoples have experienced an unbroken line of injustice which continues today.

This line began with the theft of Aboriginal land, with scores of massacres and other brutal crimes against our ancestors, and with the denial of our cultures, customs, traditional practices and our ability to speak language.

And it was continued through legislation.

Yoorrook recently held a Descendants Day hearing in which three non-Indigenous witnesses gave evidence, shedding light on key moments in Victoria’s shared history. One of them was Peter Sharp, a great-grandson of former Prime Minister Alfred Deakin.

Before his federal political career, Deakin was elected to the Victorian Parliament. He was Chief Secretary in 1886, and key in drafting and passing an amendment to the Aborigines Protection Act, more commonly known as the ‘Half-Caste Act’, as the last item of business for the parliamentary year.

This piece of legislation was the foundation of so much devastation for First Peoples.

The Amendment redefined Aboriginality under law to exclude some people of mixed race and forced many so-called ‘half-castes’ aged under 35 off the reserves to assimilate into a society which didn’t accept them.

Authorities were given the breathtaking power to remove Aboriginal children from their families to be placed in government institutions or domestic services, kickstarting the Stolen Generations.

The practice of authorities taking our children from our families continues. Today, our children are removed at 22 times the rate of non-Indigenous children in Victoria.

This is the ugly reality of systemic racism in Victoria.

Today, our people are far more likely to be made homeless, to be imprisoned or denied bail if charged with a crime.

We are more likely to experience racism and disadvantage, and as a result, the suicide rate among our people is far greater than other Victorians.

Our children are more likely to face bullying at school or be detained in a youth justice facility.

And we are under-represented when it comes to owning a home or finishing high school and university.

These aren’t just statistics – these are our lives, our communities and our futures, being crushed under the weight of a system that refuses to change.

Yoorrook has heard the stories of all this and more during our public hearings and through submissions and yarns with First Peoples right across the state.

Though deeply disingenuous, the referendum ‘Vote No’ refrain of “If you don’t know, vote ‘no'” was also clever because it enabled Australians to make a decision without having to confront these dark truths of our past, or our present.

It played to the “whitewash curriculum” that has been taught, as Professor Mark Rose put it, and denied Australians the opportunity to learn the whole story.

It deprived our people of the chance to have a bigger say in our future.

Truth-telling has never been more important than it is right now because when we understand the full story, and have all the information, change isn’t so scary. Fear dissipates and we understand why change is needed.

As a Yoorrook Commissioner and proud Wurundjeri and Nguari illum wurrung woman, I am regularly asked if I think non-Indigenous people should feel shame or guilt about what has happened to Aboriginal people.

These are emotions that serve no purpose. Don’t feel guilty for something you didn’t do.

Instead listen and learn about the true history of where you live and try to understand how this history continues to impact our people.

Open your heart and your mind to our reality. Then, only then, can we all move forward together.

Commissioner Sue-Anne Hunter is Deputy Chair of the Yoorrook Justice Commission and a proud Wurundjeri and Nguari illum wurrung woman.