History

Don’t miss Four Corners this Monday 24 March at 8.30pm for an exclusive insight into the Yoorrook Justice Commission – Victoria’s truth telling process.

Developed by Indigenous Peoples, it establishes a universal framework of minimum standards for Indigenous Peoples’ survival, dignity and wellbeing.

Peter Sharp, a great grandson of former Prime Minister Alfred Deakin, gives the Commission evidence into Deakin’s involvement in the passage of the Aborigines Protection Act 1886.

“Researching and critically analysing my ancestor’s role in facilitating the theft of Gunditjmara land and the abhorrent treatment of Aboriginal people in South-Western Victoria has been confronting but also cathartic.”

“My hope from today is that other landholders let go that angst of worrying that land will be resumed or impacts on what they are wanting to do… it’s a shared journey and I hope that others will see that.”

Commissioner Sue-Anne Hunter appeared on ABC News Breakfast to discuss Yoorrook’s Descendant Day hearing.

“No government in Australian whether they be commonwealth or state or local have done anything in any real sense of the word to alleviate the conditions facing aboriginal peoples in this country” – Uncle Gary Murray