2024-11-04
By Senator Dorinda Cox
As the Greens Federal spokesperson for First Nations, Northern Australia, Trade and Tourism, and Resources, it’s been a busy month across many of my portfolios. October marked a significant milestone with the first Truth and Justice Hearing being held.
Federal Truth and Justice Commission Bill – First Hearing
The First hearing is a historic step towards recording, acknowledging and addressing the injustices faced by First Nations people in Australia. The first public hearings took place in Naarm (Melbourne), one day after the first anniversary of the Voice referendum.
The hearings saw key Victorian stakeholders speak to the bill regarding amendments required, lessons learnt from state truth telling and what would be needed from a federal Truth and Justice telling Commission.
We heard from Aunty Geraldine Atkinson, the former Inaugural Co-Chair of the First Peoples’ Traditional Owner Corporation who said, “We knew Truth Telling would be hurtful, but we also knew it was necessary for our healing.”.
Similarly, Paul Paton, CEO of Federation of Victorian Traditional Owners Corporations stated, “This is about resetting and restoring this country’s history…[so] we can move forward and heal together”.
It is clear that a federal Truth and Justice Commission is the only way forward and necessary to ensure truth telling and treaty, due to the ease and commitment to the recent abolishment of the Truth Telling Inquiry in Queensland, and the significant winding down of truth telling in the Northern Territory.
Truth telling must be the starting point towards justice and unity and must invite all Australians into the process. To reconcile we must first be heard, seen and respected – then comes healing and peace. It’s our responsibility as a nation to have a mature conversation about our past, understand our present and create a vision for our future that involves unity.
A federal Truth and Justice Commission would capture Australia's collective history of pre-colonial, colonial and collective history, while moving towards healing and a pathway forwards for Australia's diverse and vibrant communities.
The time is now. It’s time to respect our inherent, sovereign right to self-determination. Including the protection and preservation of our lands and waters – under our custodianship. Ensuring Australia’s First Peoples are consulted in every decision about our shared future.
The next public hearing takes place in Perth on the 12th of November. I’m looking forward to hearing from Perth community members and stakeholders and moving closer to Australia's collective healing and a pathway to Treaty.
Header photo: Senator Cox with the Yoorrook Justice Commissioners at the first hearing into federal Truth and Justice