Victoria to probe colonisation ‘injustices’, paving way for indigenous treaty
An independent commission will pave the way for the country’s first treaty with indigenous Australians.
An inquiry will examine how colonisation has led to racial inequality suffered by Indigenous people in Victoria, the state government has announced.
Acting Premier James Merlino said findings from the independent commission — called the Yoo-rrook Justice Commission — would pave the way for a treaty process in the state.
“(The commission) will look at both historical injustice and contemporary injustice in Victorian society,” Mr Merlino said.
“It’s a recognition that without truth, without justice, you can’t have a treaty … you can’t take that incredibly powerful step forward until we go through this process.”
The commission will be supported by the First Peoples’ Assembly for Victoria and will be established by the middle of the year. Aboriginal Affairs Minister Gabrielle Williams said the commission’s findings would be the “missing link” to reconcile past trauma of Indigenous people with effective policy for the future.
“We know that Aboriginal people are over-represented in school absenteeism, in incarceration, in poor life expectancy,” Ms Williams said.
“(The commission) will culminate in recommendations from the panel to the Premier, who will then make recommendations to the government. It will be challenging, it will be traumatic … but it is so very important and we are urging all people to be involved: Aboriginal people and non-Aboriginal people.”
First People’s Assembly co-chair Marcus Stewart said the announcement was historic.
“One thing we are clear on is you can’t have treaty without truth,” Mr Stewart said. “Today marks a significant step forward where our community as of today start the process of healing. We now have the opportunity to tell a true side of history.”
Although the commission is an Australian first, at least 30 other countries have completed a similar process, including South Africa, New Zealand and Canada.
The commission would determine how much the process costs, Mr Merlino said. “There will be a process that (the commission) will undertake and that will determine the cost of the commission itself,” he said. An interim report will be delivered in 2021 and a final report is expected in 2024. An expression-of-interest process for the five commission roles will be open until April 6. At least one commissioner must have a legal background and another must be an elder.
The First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria was established in early 2020 to give advice to the government on treaties and negotiate with the state’s traditional owners. No other state or territory in Australia has committed to a treaty with Indigenous people.
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