Time for ‘truth-telling at Indigenous inquiry

Five to lead Victorian probe into the historical and contemporary injustices committed against Indigenous people.

Acting Victorian Premier James Merlino at an announcement at Yarra Bend about the Truth and Justice Royal Commission as part of Aboriginal Treaty talks. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

An Australian-first inquiry into historical and contemporary injustices committed against Aboriginal people in Victoria will be led by five commissioners, including four who are Indigenous.

Victoria’s acting Premier James Merlino also announced the inquiry – revealed on March 9 – will be backed by $58M from the state’s budget, due to be handed down next Thursday.

“You cannot have treaty, and we are on a path to treaty and it makes me so very proud, you cannot have treaty without truth,” Mr Merlino said.

“You cannot truly confront current and past justices without a truth and justice commission of this nature,” he said.

Deputy Premier James Merlino with Troy McDonald, co-chair of the Truth and Justice Commission, Auntie Geraldine Atkinson, Melissa Jones, co-chair of the Truth and Justice Commission, Gabrielle Williams, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Marcus Stewart at Coranderrk at Healesville for the launch of the Victorian Government's Truth and Justice Commission. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

“Many nations across the world have done this (including) New Zealand, Canada and South Africa. This is our path to a new shared future.”

The inquiry will examine how colonisation led to racial inequalities suffered by Indigenous people in Victoria.

Elder and professor Eleanor Bourke has been appointed to chair the commission and said the commission was a “logical step”.

“I think that I need to say that it is with some trepidation – I didn’t sleep very well, thinking about all of the things that we need to unpack – but we just need to get on with that and we will be talking to a lot of you over time,” Ms Bourke said.

“It’s really about you knowing we are on the job,” she said.

The other commissioners include Yorta Yorta/ Dja Dja elder and academic Wayne Atkinson, Wurundjeri and Ngurai illum Wurrung woman Sue-Anne Hunter, Palawa woman and professor Maggie Walter and professor Kevin Bell AM.

Mr Merlino announced the commission early in March and said any findings would pave the way for a treaty process in the state.

He said the announcement was “one of the proudest moments as a member of parliament.

“We will hear deep sadness, but we‘ll also hear about deep joy,” he said.

“There will be findings and recommendations that we can respond to as a government immediately, and there will be findings and recommendations that will be part of the treaty negotiation process.”

The commission will be resourced “properly” with the $58M funding announcement, Mr Merlino said.

An interim report will be handed down in July next year, to be followed by a final report with recommendations in 2024. It will be supported by the state’s First People’s Assembly for Victoria.