Yoorrook will investigate injustices in the Victorian child protection and criminal justice systems

Victoria’s Yoorrook Justice Commission intends to investigate the impact of both the child protection and criminal justice systems on First Nations people in Victoria, calling for responses to Issues Papers on the two focus areas by 21 November, ahead of public hearings commencing on 5 December.

The Yoorook Justice Commission was formally announced in March 2021 following an extended period of advocacy from the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, and subsequent support from the Victorian Government. 

Its mission is to look into both past and ongoing injustices experienced by Traditional Owners and First Peoples in Victoria in all areas of life since colonisation.

December’s hearings will include evidence from about 40 witnesses who will provide insights into the harm done to First Peoples by unjust laws and practices within the criminal justice and child protection systems and the reasons why governments are yet to make change.

“From Yoorrook’s inception, First Peoples’ Elders and community leaders have called on the Commission to focus attention on the critical areas of criminal justice and child protection,” said Commissioner Sue-Anne Hunter, Deputy Chair of the Yoorrook Justice Commission. 

“The harm inflicted on the Stolen Generation continues to traumatise our people, yet record numbers of First Peoples’ children are being taken from their families – at a rate 20 times greater than non-Aboriginal kids. Too many children are still separated from kin, Country and culture as a result of detrimental policies and practices. We are seeing a new Stolen Generation happening before our eyes,” she added.

“The seeming inability or unwillingness to change these systems is the unfinished business the Yoorrook Justice Commission will focus on in the next phase of its inquiry.”

“By telling the truth about the criminal justice and child protection systems and holding those in power to account, we can create a fairer Victoria where everyone has the same chance to thrive.”

While Yoorrook will continue taking submissions and hearing truths about all other injustices affecting First Peoples in parallel with the work on criminal justice and child protection, the organisation wants to make sure that these critical issues are highlighted for urgent attention.  

Submissions responding to the issues papers can be made via the submission portal on the Yoorrook website.

Yoorrook’s public hearings will be livestreamed on the Yoorrook website from 5 December.