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Public Hearings: 27 April – 15 May 2023
The purpose of these public hearings was for the Yoorrook Justice Commission to question Victorian government ministers, senior bureaucrats and the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police about the administration of the child protection and criminal justice systems.
Witnesses
Adam Reilly, Executive Director, Wimmera South Region Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
Andrea Davidson, Commissioner, Youth Justice
Argiri Alisandratos, Acting Associate Secretary, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
Commissioner Meena Singh
Dr Tamar Hopkins
Eleanor Williams, Executive Director, Strategy and Policy, Department of Health
Joshua Smith, Deputy Secretary, Youth Justice, Department of Justice and Community Safety
Kate Houghton, Secretary, Department of Justice and Community Safety
Katherine Whetton, Deputy Secretary, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Department of Health
Larissa Strong, Commissioner, Corrections Victoria
Marian Chapman, Deputy Secretary, Courts, Civil and Criminal Law, Department of Justice and Community Safety
Raylene Harradine PSM, Deputy Secretary, Aboriginal Self-Determination and Outcomes, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
Ryan Phillips, Acting Associate Secretary, Corrections and Justice Services, Department of Justice and Community Safety
Shane Patton APM, Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police
The Hon. Anthony Carbines MP
The Hon. Enver Erdogan MP
The Hon. Jaclyn Symes MLC
The Hon. Lizzie Blandthorn MP
View Evidence
Date: 27 April - 15 May 2023
Topic: Child protection system
Topic: Criminal justice system
Directions Hearing: 4 April 2023
The Yoorrook Justice Commission called a directions hearing at 10am on Tuesday 4 April for an update on the Victorian Government’s response to a previous failure to comply with the Commission’s orders to produce evidence.
Witnesses
N/A
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Date: 4 April 2023
Topic: Child protection system
Topic: Criminal justice system
Directions Hearing: 27 March 2023
The Yoorrook Justice Commission called a directions hearing at 10am on Monday March 27 regarding the Victorian Government’s non-compliance with the Commission’s orders to produce evidence.
Witnesses
N/A
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Date: 27 March 2023
Topic: Child protection system
Topic: Criminal justice system
Public Hearings: 1-9 March 2023
The purpose of these public hearings was to hear from Community members with first-hand experience of the child protection and criminal justice systems.
Witnesses
Aboriginal Justice Caucus
Aunty Debbie and Uncle Ray Thomas
Aunty Doreen Lovett
Aunty Stephanie Charles
Bonnie Dukakis
Damian Griffis
Donna, Tina, Sonny and Joanne Wright
Dr Michael Maguire
Eathan and David Cruse
Emeritus Professor Jude McCulloch
John
Mikala
Shane and Aimee Potter
Sissy Austin
Uncle Ross Morgan
WEstjustice
View Evidence
Date: 1-9 March 2023
Topic: Child protection system
Topic: Criminal justice system
Public Hearings: 12 to 16 December 2022
The purpose of these public hearings was to hear from Aboriginal leaders working in the area of criminal justice as part of Yoorrook’s inquiry into the harm done to First Peoples by unjust laws and practices within this system.
Witnesses
Alan Thorpe
Antoinette Braybrook
Aunty Geraldine Atkinson
Aunty Vickie Roach
Coree Thorpe
Dr Eddie Cubillo
Dr Mick Creati
Human Rights Law Centre
Karin Williams
Nakia Firebrace
Peter Hood
Prof Stuart Kinner
Shaun Braybrook
Stan Winford
Tessa Theocharous
Victoria Legal Aid
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service
View Evidence
Date: 12-16 December 2022
Topic: Criminal justice system
Public Hearings: 5 to 9 December 2022
The purpose of these public hearings were to hear from Aboriginal leaders working in child protection as part of Yoorrook’s inquiry into the harm done to First Peoples by unjust laws and practices within this system.
Witnesses
Aaron Wallace
Ashley Morris
Aunty Charmaine Clarke
Aunty Eva Jo Edwards
Aunty Glenys Watts
Aunty Hazel Hudson
Aunty Jill Gallagher
Aunty Muriel Bamblett
Aunty Rieo Ellis
Commissioner Meena Singh
Dr Jacynta Krakouer
Felicia Dean
Ian Hamm
Karinda Taylor
Kimberley Do
Lisa Thorpe
Magistrate Kay Macpherson
Shellee Strickland
Stacey Brown
Tracey Dillon
View Evidence
Date: 5-9 December 2022
Topic: Child protection system
Public Hearings: 20 May to 27 May 2022
The purpose of these public hearings were to hear from Victorian First Peoples’ Elders whose experiences illustrate many of the key impacts of colonisation still felt today.
Witnesses
Isobel Morphy-Walsh
Uncle Colin Walker
Uncle Kevin Coombs
Uncle Larry Walsh
View Evidence
Date: 20 May to 27 May 2022
Topic: Elders' truths
Public Hearings: 26 April to 6 May 2022
The purpose of these hearings were to listen to Victorian First Peoples’ Elders whose experiences illustrate many of the key impacts of colonisation still felt today. The Minister for Treaty and First Peoples, the Hon Gabrielle Williams MP, and the Co-Chair of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria also appeared before the Commission during these hearings.
Witnesses
Aunty Alma Thorpe
Aunty Fay Carter
Marcus Stewart
The Hon Gabrielle Williams MP
Uncle Jack Charles
Uncle Johnny Lovett
View Evidence
Date: 26 April to 6 May 2022
Topic: Elders' truths
Ceremonial First Hearing 24 March 2022
Yoorrook’s ceremonial first hearing was held on 24 March 2022 at Charcoal Lane Fitzroy
Witnesses
N/A
View Evidence
Date: 24 March 2022