Yoorrook Justice Commission to investigate injustices of Indigenous ‘land, sky and waters’ in Victoria

Victoria’s Aboriginal truth-telling body is preparing a campaign to get Indigenous Victorians ‘redress’ for losing control of ‘land, sky and waters’ in the wake of the voice referendum.

Victoria’s Aboriginal truth-telling body is preparing a campaign to get Indigenous Victorians “redress” for losing control of “land, sky and waters” in the wake of the voice referendum.

Yoorrook Commission chair Eleanor Bourke, noting the “really challenging” months in the lead-up to the referendum that was defeated on the weekend, said it was time to look ahead.

“Now that the referendum is over, we must find ways to move forward together,” Professor Bourke told The Australian.

“Truth-telling and the work of the Yoorrook Justice Commission is more important than ever. Truth telling can help us come ­together. We can listen to each other with respect and hope and healing. Together we can find common ground and work towards a better shared future for everyone in this place we all call home.

“Yoorrook has commenced its inquiry into land, sky and waters and will soon begin looking into education, health and housing in the next part of the truth-telling process in Victoria.”

The Yoorrook Justice Commission, from left, Kevin Bell, Maggie Walter, Eleanor Bourke, Wayne Atkinson and Sue-Anne Hunter.

After handing down 46 recommendations to reform the criminal justice system and juvenile detention earlier this year, the commission is now investigating “past and ongoing injustices caused by colonisation … in relation to (First Peoples’) land”.

According to the commission’s issue paper, the inquiry will examine the impact colonisation has had on First Nations people and their ability to exercise their relationships and obligations, their right to self-determination and their human and cultural rights in relation to their land.

It will also look at how First Peoples have been able to maintain their connections, knowledge and practices.

“For thousands of generations, sovereign First Peoples governed themselves. They managed traditional lands according to their law and lore, cultural knowledge, practices and customs. These knowledges and practices were passed down through generations and encompassed holistic and interconnected relationships and obligations between each First People and their country,” the paper read.

“Colonisation disrupted these connections through violence and the taking of land and destroyed their systems of governance. The attempted destruction of culture, language, and the deliberate and forced removal of people from their own country followed.”

The paper states the inquiry will focus on “ways to provide redress for past, present and ongoing injustice related to taking First Peoples’ lands” and “the past and present benefits by the colonising state … landholders and settlers through their dispossession of First Peoples of their country”.

Traditional owner groups, organisations and individuals will be invited to roundtable discussions, with evidence-gathering also including visits to sites of significance.

Professor Bourke said the commission’s recommendations could help in the treaty negotiation process.

“Yoorrook’s purpose is to investigate past and ongoing injustices against First Peoples in Victoria. It will recommend changes to the Victorian government and First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, some of which may be adopted as part of the treaty negotiation process,” she said.

The truth-telling body is expected to deliver its final report in December next year, when the evidence, findings and recommendations from this inquiry will be released.

The move towards treaty comes as Peter Dutton demanded Anthony Albanese “come clean” on whether he is committed to establishing a Makarrata commission.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan said on Tuesday her government’s focus was on providing Indigenous Australians with support after Saturday’s result.

“We have been for some time been on a really clear path to how we can better listen … we will continue on that,” she said. “We will continue working with First People’s Assembly … to work through the Yoorrook process.”

A Victorian government spokeswoman also confirmed the recommendations handed down by Yoorrook in July are being considered.