Yoorrook’s call for deep reflection and action

The release of the Yoorrook Justice Commission’s final reports represents a historic moment for all Victorians.

All Victorians now have the opportunity to move towards a future in which past harm is acknowledged, the present is honestly examined, and First Nations peoples can live free from systemic injustice.

Yoorrook is the country’s first formal truth-telling process. The courage of the thousands of people including over 1,500 First Nations people who shared their truths must be honoured through deep and critical reflection of these reports.

At Victoria Legal Aid, we honour the strength, generosity, and resilience of First Nations peoples and acknowledge their deep and enduring connection to the lands and waters we are lucky to call home. We pay respect to Elders and acknowledge that the sovereignty of First Peoples was not ceded.

Truth-telling in practice

Yoorrook has released two final reports:

• 'Yoorrook: Truth be told' is a public record of the truths and evidence presented to the commission.
• 'Yoorrook for transformation' includes 100 recommendations on land injustice, education, health, housing, economic and political life.

‘Through the public record, we can all learn more about the history of the state of Victoria from a First Nations perspective and decide how we want to move towards a future that is built on shared respect and trust,’ CEO Toby Hemming said.

‘If we are to honour the work and leadership of Yoorrook, we must move forward from here.’

Over the past four years so many people have bravely and generously shared their stories – their truths – and their hopes and aspirations for a brighter future.

‘The work of Yoorrook is a testament to the strength and resilience of First Nations people who stood up to share their truth,’ First Nations Services Executive Director Ashley Morris said.

‘We should be proud as Victorians to have finished the country’s first formal truth-telling process that was led by Koori people through the Yoorrook Justice Commission. With the Treaty process underway, it’s time for Victorians to acknowledge the truths in these reports and take meaningful action,’ Ash said.

Recommendations for change

The release of these reports is the culmination of four years of work, powerfully illustrated in recent weeks by Commissioner Travis Lovett’s Walk for Truth from Portland on Gunditjmara Country to State Parliament on Wurundjeri Country.

We acknowledge the significant work that has gone into the commission’s final recommendations, including those which are directly relevant to our work and the systems we work in.

We also acknowledge our systemic role in the injustices caused to First Nations people and commit to continue to contribute to change.

We look forward to considering the recommendations of 'Yoorrook for transformation' in detail, led by the expertise of First Nations organisations and in consultation with our partners in the legal assistance sector.

We encourage the state government and all Victorians to reflect deeply on these reports, and then take action to ensure the work of the commission endures into the future.

More information

Read all of the reports from the Yoorrook Justice Commission.