Aboriginal Communities across Victoria have been loud and clear in calling for self-determined solutions to address historic and ongoing injustices caused by the state of Victoria. The delivery of the Yoorrook Justice Commission’s ‘Yoorrook for Transformation’ Report to Victorian Parliament this week was a historic moment in acknowledging the Truth-telling journey and paving a path towards self-determination for our people, but we remain concerned that these calls will go unanswered by the Allan Labor Government.
Yoorrook’s entire truth-telling process has been an invitation from Aboriginal peoples in Victoria to decision-makers and the broader community to walk alongside us in addressing the injustices documented in the report.
VALS submitted eight comprehensive submissions to the Yoorrook Justice Commission, including in the areas of criminal justice system, child protection system, housing and health. These submissions set out clear, community-led solutions for systemic reform.
Under Premier Allan’s leadership, the government has not only ignored that invitation to collaborate and work together but has completely undermined the very principles of Yoorrook. Premier Allan’s approach to community safety has been driven by bad policy, she has reneged on the government’s promise to increase the age of criminal responsibility to 14 and continued to pour funding into locking children up – reflections we see as a deep failure to listen to Aboriginal communities.
Premier Allan now has a historic opportunity to lead Victoria through the implementation of its first truth-telling process, Treaty, and now a permanent Aboriginal voice to Parliament, but her legacy risks being defined by poor policies that are driving up over-incarceration rates for our people.
Despite a commitment to Yoorrook and its subsequent recommendations, as well as commitments under the National Agreement to Closing The Gap, and Treaty, this year’s State Budget showed that the Victorian Government is more concerned about polling numbers than meaningful change.
Since the Victorian government introduced harsher laws to access bail, there has been catastrophic numbers of people being held in custody, unsentenced. They are paying the ultimate price of these bad policy decisions. Experiencing unprecedented prison lockdowns due to staff shortages, disruptions to programs which we know are vital in social and emotional wellbeing as well as disconnect to family as they are kept in isolation.
Prisons are not coping, Corrections Victoria are at a crisis point and yet again Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are the ones who suffer.
This is not justice, it is the continuation of the injustices that have occurred on this land since invasion which are detailed in the Yoorrook for Transformation Report. The Government cannot claim to support Treaty or truth-telling while ignoring the truth laid bare by the evidence. The path to justice requires action to create meaningful change.
Recommendation 2 in the Yoorrook for Transformation Report urges the Victorian Government to
‘acknowledge the ongoing reality of legal and political pluralism in Victoria, engage with First Nations as nations, and provide the resources to support the transition to genuine nation-to-nation relationships.’
This is crucial for ensuring a meaningful and genuine Treaty Framework as well as upholding agreements outlined in Recommendation 8, which highlights the need for the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) principles into Victorian legislation. Many recommendations include investment in culturally-safe, early intervention and prevention services to address the drivers of family violence, homelessness and offending behaviour. Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations such as VALS are best placed to support our people, yet we are not provided with adequate funding and resources to meet the increasing demands of our communities.
These recommendations are the calls of our communities. The Victorian Government must respond by implementing the Yoorrook Justice Commission’s recommendations in full. Committing to working with and investing in Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations to deliver self-determined solutions to improve the lives and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across Victoria.
Quotes Attributable to Nerita Waight, CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service:
“The truth has been told and now the Government has an obligation to act. For generations, Aboriginal people in Victoria have shared their lived experiences with government led inquiries only for those recommendations to be ignored. The culmination of this work of the Yoorrook Justice Commission is the most extensive and accurate reporting of Victoria’s dark history since colonisation. The significance of this report cannot be overlooked, Premier Jacinta Allan has the opportunity to leave a legacy of unity and cohesion, walking alongside Aboriginal communities towards self-determination. Something that is long overdue for our people after hundreds of years of oppressive practices.
“This final report is a clear and concise pathway to ensure safety, transformation and a future where Aboriginal people and communities will have the opportunity to thrive.“
“As we move through Treaty negotiations and establish a permanent Aboriginal voice to Parliament, I urge the Government to remember the truths contained within the Yoorrook Justice Commission’s final report. We continue to call for investment into community-led programs and services that are based on early intervention, prevention and rehabilitation to address the injustices our people have faced since invasion.”