2024-09-03
The Greens have introduced a Bill to establish the first Federal Truth Telling Commission
By Senator Dorinda Cox
The Truth and Justice Commission Bill 2024 will create an independent body that aims to establish an intergenerational project of change between First Nations People and non-Indigenous Australians. This will be through a range of truth-telling processes that allows First Nations people the ability to tell their stories in a trauma-informed and culturally safe way. This Bill has now gone to inquiry to allow for submissions into how it should be structured and function.
The Greens have done this because we are not accepting of Labor walking away from the Uluru Statement from the Heart and will continue on the Greens path of First Nations truth and justice. This is a time of change.
The Commission will address the three key principles of truth-telling: correcting the historical record; reassessing the role of justice in a diverse and unified Australia; and enabling healing and reconciliation between First Nations and non-Indigenous Australians.
Ways you can help the fight:
- I encourage First Nations People to embrace the opportunity to share your truth and history with the knowledge that you will be culturally safe, heard and respected.
- I extend the invitation to non-Indigenous Australians to join us on this journey to deeply connect, listen, and respectfully understand our shared history to create an intergenerational project of change.
- Start conversations, be an ally and deepen your understanding.
Like many before us, we need not just bravery but also courage, commitment and determination to deliver change. To campaign and make hollow statements is not enough.
The process for dialogue was once the message stick being given and received. Now we will do this truth telling through this legislation.
Header photo: Senator McKim congratulating Senator Cox after she passes the Truth and Justice Message Stick