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.
The focus of the hearings was on systemic injustice against First Peoples within these systems and opportunities for reform.
Scroll down to view videos of the hearings, witness statements and evidence.
On this page
Witness lists
Hearing Witness List 27 April – 15 May 2023
Hearing Videos
Child protection and criminal justice systems hearing – Government and departmental day 10
Witnesses:
Adam Reilly, Executive Director, Wimmera South Region Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
Raylene Harradine PSM, Deputy Secretary, Aboriginal Self-Determination and Outcomes, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
The Hon. Enver Erdogan MP
Child protection system hearing – Government and departmental day 9
Witnesses:
Commissioner Meena Singh
The Hon. Lizzie Blandthorn MP
Child protection system hearing – Government and departmental day 8
Witnesses:
Argiri Alisandratos, Acting Associate Secretary, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
Criminal justice systems hearing – Government and departmental day 7
Witnesses:
Shane Patton APM, Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police
The Hon. Anthony Carbines MP
Criminal justice systems hearing – Government and departmental day 6
Witnesses:
The Hon. Jaclyn Symes MLC
Criminal justice systems hearing – Government and departmental day 5
Witnesses:
Andrea Davidson, Commissioner, Youth Justice
Joshua Smith, Deputy Secretary, Youth Justice, Department of Justice and Community Safety
Larissa Strong, Commissioner, Corrections Victoria
Ryan Phillips, Acting Associate Secretary, Corrections and Justice Services, Department of Justice and Community Safety
Criminal justice systems hearing – Government and departmental day 4
Witnesses:
Dr Tamar Hopkins
Kate Houghton, Secretary, Department of Justice and Community Safety
Marian Chapman, Deputy Secretary, Courts, Civil and Criminal Law, Department of Justice and Community Safety
Child protection and criminal justice systems hearing – Government and departmental Day 3
Witnesses:
Eleanor Williams, Executive Director, Strategy and Policy, Department of Health
Katherine Whetton, Deputy Secretary, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Department of Health
Child protection system hearing – Government and departmental Day 2
Witnesses:
Argiri Alisandratos, Acting Associate Secretary, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
Child protection system hearing – Government and departmental Day 1
Witnesses:
Argiri Alisandratos, Acting Associate Secretary, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing
Transcripts
Transcript – Government and Departmental Hearing 15 May 2023
Transcript – Government and Departmental Hearing 11 May 2023
Transcript – Government and Departmental Hearing 12 May 2023
Transcript – Government and Departmental Hearings 8 May 2023
Transcript – Government and Departmental Hearings 5 May 2023
Transcript – Government and Departmental Hearings 3 May 2023
Transcript – Government and Departmental Hearings 1 May 2023
Transcript – Government and Departmental Hearings 2 May 2023
Transcript – Government and Departmental Hearing 28 April 2023
Transcript – Government and Departmental Hearing 27 April 2023
Orders
May 15, 2023
Restricted Publication Order, Tender List made 15 May 2023
May 3, 2023