'A gift to the people of Victoria': here's what mob think of Yoorrook's truth findings

With the Yoorrook Justice Commission's final reports handing down findings of genocide and highlighting the importance of treaty and redress, NITV speaks to Aboriginal leaders about the truth telling process.

Aboriginal leaders across Victoria have welcomed the Yoorrook Justice Commission's final report, and have urged the government to take action.

As Victoria's truth telling commission hands down its final reports, First Nations leaders across Victoria are reflecting on the landmark findings.

The Yoorrook Justice Commission's two reports - Yoorrook for Transformation, and Yoorrook Truth Be Told - contain 100 recommendations for changes to government policy, and a formal record of the state's true history.

Among the key findings, two stand out: that genocide and crimes against humanity were committed against Aboriginal people in Victoria as a result of colonisation.

Commission recommends state redress

Jill Gallagher is the CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation. Credit: Supplied: VACCHO

Reading the report was an emotional experience for Aunty Jill Gallagher, the CEO of Victoria's peak Indigenous health organisation and a former Treaty Commissioner.

The Gunditjmara woman is one of the many who gave evidence before the Yoorrook Commission.

“I was very impressed with all the Aboriginal people that told their stories, but also told their stories on behalf of their Elders and their ancestors," she told NITV.

Yoorrook's final recommendation was for the state government to provide redress to Aboriginal people through the state-wide and local treaty processes.

It would include economic and non-economic loss for genocide, crimes against humanity, and the denial of freedoms.

We don't have access to the bank of mum and dad.

Aunty Dr Jill Gallagher AO

In just one example of economic exclusion, Yoorrook heard evidence that nearly $290 billion worth of gold has been extracted from Victoria since colonisation began - with none of that wealth being shared with the Aboriginal people whose lands it was taken from.

For Aunty Jill, redress is one of the most important issues raised by the report.

"My mum is still alive and she lived on a mission here in Victoria and she was not allowed to own property, she was not allowed to create wealth for her family or her community," she said.

"We don't have access to the bank of mum and dad.

"The only thing my mum can afford to leave me when she goes are her values: honesty, integrity, and strong in culture.

Aunty Jill urged the state government to back the report and consider its recommendations, to help heal the wounds of the past.

Treaty more important than ever: First Peoples Assembly

As the democratically elected representative body for Indigenous people in Victoria, the First Peoples Assembly said Yoorrook's findings demonstrate the importance of treaty.

Many of the report's 100 recommendations would need to be implemented via the treaty process - with the Assembly currently negotiating a state-wide treaty with the Victorian government.

“This is a gift to the people of Victoria and I hope they will take the opportunity now to read our truths," said Ngarra Murray, one of the Assembly's co-chairs.

Ngarra Murray (left) and Rueben Berg of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria giving evidence during hearings by the Yoorrook Justice Commission related to land, sky and waters. Credit: JOEL CARRETT/AAPIMAGE

The Wamba Wamba, Yorta Yorta, Dhudhuroa and Dja Dja Wurrung woman said treaty negotiations were focusing on the future of the Assembly, and embedding it within the state's parliamentary structure.

The other co-chair of the First Peoples Assembly, Gunditjmara man Rueben Berg, told NITV that the initial state-wide treaty would focus on that issue, with many of Yoorrook's recommendations across other areas to be looked at in future talks.

“Many of the things that have been identified by Yoorrook we intend to take forward in future conversations and to make sure we have mechanisms to hold the government accountable,” he said.

Senator Lidia Thorpe

Independent Senator for Victoria, Lidia Thorpe, told NITV it was important that genocide against First Nations people was recognised by a formal truth telling inquiry.

“Its about time that genocide is acknowledged to have been committed against our people in this country. We have been saying this for decades and decades," she said.

The Gunnai, Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung woman said the Yoorrook recommendations regarding self-determination, the continued mandate of the First Peoples Assembly to hold the state government accountable, and the return of stolen land were important.

“There’s been a lot of stolen wealth through resources extraction ... that’s gold, minerals, even water that’s been sold off, and others have benefited, and their families have benefited.

"Where are we left? We’re left to be the poorest people in our own country," Senator Thorpe said.

"I see churches are mentioned to give land back and so they should be - churches have played a role in harming our people."

In the name of reconciliation, which is part of their faith, they should be giving that land back.

Senator Lidia Thorpe

Senator Thorpe also said there needed to be truth telling inquiries in all jurisdictions, and that the federal government must lead the process.

“Truth telling is fundamental to this nation maturing and moving forward ... truth telling does not take away from anybody, it actually enhances people’s lives," she said.

'It is indisputable'

Yorta Yorta man Ian Hamm is the chair of the First Nations Foundation and chair of The Healing Foundation's Stolen Generations Reference Group, and is himself a survivor of the Stolen Generations.

"An enormous sense of relief is probably the first part of it, but the second part is finally our story is being told," he said.

"The argument over 'Did stuff happen?' is done - we are done with that. This is documented, it is factual, it is indisputable."

Ian Hamm urged politicians to be generous with the report.

Mr Hamm also gave evidence to Yoorrook, and he urged parliamentarians from all sides of politics to approach the recommendations of the final report with generosity and good faith.

"Having been in the public services of the Commonwealth and the state of Victoria for over 30 years ... the hard work is just about to begin," he said.

"It will not be an easy task, it will be a difficult task, but it is not one we should shy away from."

How has the government responded?

Premier Jacinta Allan has not ruled out implementing any of Yoorrook's recommendations, telling reporters on Tuesday her government was carefully considering the report.

"The government will take time to consider the depth of the recommendations, and I’m just not going to rule things in or out through a press conference,” she said.

Premier Jacinta Allan has not ruled out any of Yoorrook's reccommendations. Credit: James Ross/ AAP photos Credit: JAMES ROSS/AAPIMAGE

Ms Allan made history as the first head of government to appear at a truth telling inquiry in Australia last year, where she admitted she was ashamed and distressed by how little she knew of Indigenous massacres - only learning of some details while preparing to give evidence.

“I would certainly encourage all Victorians to take a moment or two to look at the Yoorrook Royal Commission to learn some difficult truths, to learn some of the history of our state, to learn as I have through this process about the impacts of colonisation,” she said this week.

While her government is considering its response to the 100 recommendations in Yoorrook's final report, it has previously only accepted a handful of recommendations from the inquiry's 2023 interim report into the state's justice system.

Just four of the 46 recommendations of that report were accepted in full, with another 24 supported "in principle".

The Premier has also promised to formally apologise to Indigenous people in Victoria, however no date has been set.