After four years of hearings and evidence from more than 200 witnesses, the work of the Yoorrook Justice Commission has finally come to an end.

Yoorrook has suggested this redress could take the form of monetary compensation, tax relief, and the restitution of traditional lands, waters, and resources.

 “Yoorrook has woven the threads of individual First People’s experiences together into a rich account of our collective history and, for the first time, many non-Aboriginal Victorians would have learnt about this shared history because of Yoorrook.”

With the powers of a royal commission, the inquiry was given the mandate to investigate all injustices faced by Indigenous people in Victoria dating back to the beginning of colonisation.

Commissioners heard evidence from Elders, Indigenous people, descendants of early colonisers, public servants, and politicians, including 16 separate apologies from ministers and government officials.

Over its 67 days of public hearings, Yoorrook heard from more than 200 witnesses in total, and received evidence from around 1500 First Nations people.

Landmark treaty negotiations underway

Established in 2018 and holding its first elections the following year, the First Peoples Assembly is a democratically elected Indigenous representative body focussed on advancing the treaty making process.

“While Yoorrook has wrapped up, truth telling is an ongoing process and our negotiations have also included how the Assembly will make sure our peoples can continue to have our truths heard, recorded and shared.”

“The significant change is that it will be a body where we will be listening and taking on their advice.”

“Victoria’s truth-telling process is a historic opportunity to hear the stories of our past that have been buried – these are stories that all Victorians need to hear.”