Truth-telling ‘critical’ to treaty, Victorian premier says ahead of historic appearance at Indigenous-led inquiry
Jacinta Allan says failure of voice referendum hardened her resolve to
‘present the facts’ about impacts of colonisation
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan says truth-telling is “critical” to the treaty process, as she prepares to front the state’s historic truth-telling inquiry. Ms Allan will give evidence at the Yoorrook Justice Commission on Monday, in her first appearance before the inquiry.
The hearing was originally scheduled to take place at the site of the Coranderrk Aboriginal Mission near Healesville, but has been moved to Melbourne. Yoorrook is Australia’s first truth-telling inquiry and is part of Victoria’s treaty process. Formal truth-telling processes have been held in more than 30 other countries including Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Following the inquiry’s second interim report in September, the Victorian government accepted 28 of 46 recommendations, is considering 15 more, and has rejected three outright. The three rejected recommendations related to increasing the legal age of criminal liability to at least 14 and the minimum age of detention to 16, changing bail laws to reduce deaths in custody, and changes to the Charter of Human Rights.
Human Rights Law Centre managing lawyer Monique Hurley, who has given evidence at the commission, said the government had dismissed an opportunity. “The Victorian government must act on the evidence heard by Yoorrook and properly support the transformational change of the criminal legal system called for by Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander people, communities, and organizations,” Ms Hurley said in early April.
Witnesses to the commission last week included Water Minister Harriet Shing and Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio. Ms D’Ambrosio revealed that no royalties for an estimated $287.4 billion in gold mined in the state since colonization had gone to traditional owners. Yoorrook will hand down its final report in 2025.
Yoorrook truth-telling inquiry told of ongoing dispossession of water rights for Indigenous groups
First Nations groups hold about 40 percent of Australian land through
native title claims, yet own and control less than 0.2 percent of the country’s water.
The Yoorrook truth-telling inquiry has heard of the ongoing dispossession of water rights for Indigenous groups. First Nations groups hold about 40 percent of Australian land through native title claims, yet own and control less than 0.2 percent of the country’s water.
The inquiry heard that the 1902 Rivers and Streams Act gave control of all rivers and streams to the state government, effectively dispossessing Aboriginal people of their water rights. The act was amended in 1928 to allow for the creation of Aboriginal water trusts, but these trusts have been criticized for being ineffective.
The inquiry also heard that the construction of dams and other water infrastructure projects has had a devastating impact on Indigenous communities. The Wimmera Mallee Aboriginal Corporation told the inquiry that the construction of the Wimmera-Mallee Pipeline had led to the loss of cultural heritage sites and the drying up of waterways.
The inquiry is expected to make recommendations to the Victorian government on how to address the dispossession of water rights for Indigenous groups. The government has already committed to implementing the recommendations of the inquiry.
Victorian premier to front truth-telling inquiry
Victoria’s premier will face the state’s historic truth-telling inquiry after the state government rejected three interim recommendations.
Premier Jacinta Allan will give evidence at the Yoorrook Justice Commission as it sits in Melbourne on Monday. It will be the first time the premier has appeared before the commission.
The hearing had been scheduled to take place at the site of the Coranderrk Aboriginal Mission near Healesville, but has been moved to Melbourne. Yoorrook is Australia’s first truth-telling inquiry and is part of Victoria’s treaty process. Formal truth-telling processes have been held in more than 30 other countries including Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa.
Following the inquiry’s second interim report in September, the Victorian government has accepted 28 of 46 recommendations, is considering 15 more, and has rejected three outright. The three rejected recommendations related to increasing the legal age of criminal liability to at least 14 and the minimum age of detention to 16, changing bail laws to reduce deaths in custody, and changes to the Charter of Human Rights.
Human Rights Law Centre managing lawyer Monique Hurley, who has given evidence at the commission, said the government had dismissed an opportunity. “The Victorian government must act on the evidence heard by Yoorrook and properly support the transformational change of the criminal legal system called for by Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander people, communities, and organizations,” Ms Hurley said in early April.
Witnesses to the commission last week included Water Minister Harriet Shing and Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio. Ms D’Ambrosio revealed that no royalties for an estimated $287.4 billion in gold mined in the state since colonization had gone to traditional owners. Yoorrook will hand down its final report in 2025.
In an Australian first, Victoria’s premier will sit before an Indigenous-led truth inquiry
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan is set to become the first Australian
head of state to appear at an Indigenous-led truth-telling inquiry when she appears before the Yoorrook Justice Commission this week.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan is set to become the first Australian head of state to appear at an Indigenous-led truth-telling inquiry when she appears before the Yoorrook Justice Commission this week.
The Yoorrook Justice Commission was established to investigate the impacts of colonization on First Nations peoples in Victoria. The commission is led by a panel of seven First Nations commissioners and is the first of its kind in Australia.
Premier Allan’s appearance before the commission is a significant step in the treaty process between the Victorian government and First Nations peoples. The treaty process is aimed at addressing the historical and ongoing impacts of colonization and creating a more just and equitable society.
Premier Allan has said that she is committed to truth-telling and reconciliation and that she believes that the Yoorrook Justice Commission will play a vital role in this process.
Divya