2023-01-25
Today, Yamatji Noongar woman, and WA Greens Senator, Dorinda Cox called on the Government of Western Australia to commit to a Truth-Telling Commission.
Truth-telling, along with treaty making and a constitutionally-enshrined Voice to Parliament, are the requests made in the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
Across Australia, state and territory governments have committed to advancing truth and treaty. With community support, Senator Cox and Dr Brad Pettitt MLC have written to the WA Premier to request his commitment for a truth-telling commission.
Quotes attributable to Senator Dorinda Cox:
“Truth-telling sits alongside treaty making and the voice in the Uluru Statement from the Heart. With the support of WA community members, I’m calling on the state government to follow the lead of their state and territory counterparts in advancing Makarrata in the form of a truth-telling commission.
“Truth-telling is an opportunity for First Nations people to share their stories, experiences and truth. It’s also an opportunity for non-First Nations people to enrich their understanding of our shared history. Truth-telling can be a unifying, healing and positive force for our whole community.
“I invited other Western Australians to share their thoughts on why truth-telling is important to them. I created this video that we're releasing today, so that you can hear them speak their truth directly.
“Through truth-telling and truth-listening we can begin to face the traumas of the past and take a step towards meaningful reconciliation and progress on issues affecting the lives of First Nations people here in WA and across the country.”