The Yoorrook Justice Commission is the first formal truth-telling process into historical and ongoing injustices experienced by First Peoples in Victoria.
What will Yoorrook do?
Yoorrook will look into both past and ongoing injustices experienced by Traditional Owners and First Peoples in Victoria in all areas of life since colonisation.
Yoorrook will:
- Establish an official record of the impact of colonisation on Traditional Owners and First Peoples in Victoria.
- Develop a shared understanding among all Victorians of the impact of colonisation, as well as the diversity, strength and resilience of First Peoples' cultures.
- Make recommendations for healing, system reform and practical changes to laws, policy and education, as well as to matters to be included in future treaties.
See Yoorrook’s Letters Patent that set out its mandate in detail.
How will Yoorrook run its inquiry?
Yoorrook will:
- Hear stories and gather information from First Peoples in Victoria on their experience of past and ongoing injustices and how their cultures and knowledge has survived.
- Support First Peoples to choose how they wish to share their experiences and to avoid experiencing further trauma.
- Closely examine information that is already available and seek new information in areas where there are gaps in knowledge.
- Seek information and data from the Victorian Government and other institutions to give evidence about current and past practices and policies.
- Make recommendations for systems change and practical changes to laws, policy and practices.
How did we get here?
Start
First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria calls for a truth and justice process
Building on decades of First Peoples’ activism, the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria calls on the Victorian Government to work towards establishing a truth and justice process.
The Victorian Government answers the call
The Victorian Government announces its commitment to a truth and justice process, designed to run in parallel to the Victorian Treaty process.
Design of the form and mandate of the truth and justice process
The Assembly and Victorian Government work together to design the form and mandate of the truth and justice process based on consultation with Aboriginal communities across Victoria.
Announcement of Yoorrook Justice Commission and call for Commissioners
The Yoorrook Justice Commission is formally announced, and an Expression of Interest process begins for Commissioners. Yoorrook’s historic mandate is to inquire into both historical and ongoing injustices against First Peoples in Victoria since colonisation. It will establish an official record of the impact of colonisation on First Peoples in Victoria, as well as make recommendations for practical actions and reform needed in Victoria to acknowledge historical injustices and address ongoing injustices.
Commissioner candidates shortlisted
The Expression of Interest process for Commissioners closes with shortlisted candidates publicly announced, followed by a public comment period.
Commissioners appointed and Yoorrook established
Yoorrook’s five Commissioners are announced and Yoorrook is legally established with the powers of a Royal Commission.
Yoorrook launch and ceremonial sitting
29 Yarning Circles with 200 Elders across the state
Hearings held for Elders, Assembly and Victorian Government
Hearings held for Elders, Assembly and Victorian Government
Interim report
Yoorrook Justice Commission delivers its interim report.
Next phase of Yoorrook’s work begins
Next phase of Yoorrook’s work begins; focus on criminal justice, child removal and priorities for treaty
Hearings with Aboriginal leaders, experts and service providers
First round of hearings focused on Victoria’s criminal justice and child protection systems held
Hearings with Aboriginal community members
Second round of hearings focused on Victoria’s criminal justice and child protection systems
Hearings with government and institutional witnesses
Third and final round of hearings focused on Victoria’s criminal justice and child protection systems
Critical Issues Report
Yoorrook to make recommendations following investigation into Victoria’s child protection and criminal justice systems’
Final report*
Yoorrook Justice Commission due to deliver its final report.