Wednesday, 13 August 2025

Yoorrook Justice Commission

Katherine COPSEY (Southern Metropolitan) (18:37): (1825) My adjournment this evening is for the Premier, and the action I seek is that the government publicly commit to fully implementing all 100 recommendations of the Yoorrook Justice Commission’s final report. The Yoorrook Justice Commission was established to investigate the systemic injustices inflicted on First Peoples in Victoria past and present, and its final report lays bare the truth of dispossession, discrimination and ongoing harm and sets out a practical, clear and urgent road map to justice. These are not abstract principles. The commission’s recommendations span justice, child protection, housing, education and cultural rights. They call for immediate structural change – the kind of change that goes beyond symbolism and delivers on the promise of treaty.

One of the key recommendations of the report is to raise the age of criminal responsibility to at least 14, no exceptions; this is supported by decades of evidence and by countless Aboriginal leaders. While Victoria did raise the age last year, which means that 10- and 11-year-old children are no longer locked up in this state, the state continues to detain 12- and 13-year-old kids, disproportionately Aboriginal children, in harmful youth prison environments. Another recommendation urges the government to transfer decision-making power and resourcing to Aboriginal community controlled organisations across child protection and family services. For too long Aboriginal children have been removed from family and culture at shocking rates, a modern continuation of the stolen generation. The report also calls for guaranteed funding to secure land back for traditional owners, to protect cultural heritage and to expand secure, self-determined housing and health care for Aboriginal people.

We cannot cherrypick justice. Treaty must be built on truth, and truth must be followed by action. It is not enough to say that we are listening; the government must act on what is said. Premier Allan has said the government will carefully consider the recommendations, but consideration is not justice. Aboriginal leaders have done the work. The commission has laid the path. Now we must follow. The action I seek is that the Premier commit to fully implementing all 100 recommendations of the Yoorrook Justice Commission final report in partnership with First Peoples and with urgency. Justice delayed is justice denied, and Aboriginal people in Victoria have already waited far too long.