Public Hearings

Public Hearings: 25 March – 28 March 2024

The purpose of these public hearings was to hear evidence from First Peoples, academics, descendants of colonisers, researchers and historians on injustices against First Peoples related to land, sky and waters.

Witnesses

Associate Professor Katherine Ellinghaus
Aunty Donna Wright
Aunty Jill Gallagher
Aunty Vicki Couzens
Distinguished Professor Marcia Langton
Dr Bill Pascoe
Emeritus Professor Richard Broome
Jim Berg
Professor Henry Reynolds
Professor Julie Andrews
Suzannah Henty
Uncle Michael (Mookeye) Bell
Uncle Robbie Thorpe (Djuran Bunjilinee)
View Evidence
Braydon Saunders, a Gunditjmara tour guide, gives Commissioners a tour of Lake Condah

Date: 25 March - 28 March 2024

Topic: Land Injustice

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
Andrea Davidson
Argiri Alisandratos
Chief Commissioner Shane Patton
Commissioner Meena Singh
Dr Tamar Hopkins
Eleanor Williams
Joshua Smith
Kate Houghton
Katherine Whetton
Larissa Strong
Marian Chapman
Raylene Harradine
Ryan Phillips
The Hon. Anthony Carbines MP
The Hon. Enver Erdogan MP
The Hon. Jaclyn Symes MLC
The Hon. Lizzie Blandthorn MP
View Evidence
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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

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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

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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Date: 26 April to 6 May 2022

Topic: Elders' truths