Injustice in Victoria's justice system under the spotlight at Yoorrook hearings

Giovanni Torre
Giovanni Torre Published March 3, 2023 at 11.11am (AWST)

The Yoorrook Justice Commission hearings will shift focus from the child protection system to Victoria's justice system on Monday.

Across the two-week hearing block, about 20 Indigenous witnesses will give evidence, including those who have experienced systemic injustice themselves; individuals speaking on behalf of family; experts; and community leaders.

It is expected the Commission will hear evidence on subjects including the need to reform Victoria's bail laws to stop people being unnecessarily imprisoned, Victoria's low age of criminal responsibility, and police accountability and oversight.

Yoorrook Justice Commission chair, Professor Eleanor Bourke said, it is "no secret that First Peoples are significantly over-represented in both the criminal justice and child protection systems".

"These hearings are about listening to First Peoples tell their story of these systems in their own words," she said.

"Every witness and every story add to the body of evidence gathered by Yoorrook to make recommendations for change. Every voice is important, and I thank all the witnesses who have given evidence and those who are still to come.

"Next week we will hear from First Peoples speaking about their experiences of injustice within Victoria's prisons, watch houses and the justice system more broadly. This will be supported by expert witnesses who work in the system and have a deep understanding of what needs to change fix the system for our people."

Prof Bourke noted that since the December hearings, the Victorian government has made some promising announcements, including changes to public drunkenness laws and bail laws, and reform of the child protection system.

"We will wait to see how these proposed changes are enacted and the extent to which they address the injustices and flaws in the system identified by witnesses," she said.

Yoorrook will hold a further round of hearings focused on the child protection and criminal justice systems from March 21 to 31, with representatives from the Victorian government set to give evidence.

All Victorian First Peoples, or First Peoples who experienced a systemic injustice within Victoria, can continue to tell their truth about any ongoing or historic injustice by making a submission through Yoorrook's online submission portal.

Indigenous people are encouraged to make submissions in any form they wish, including audio or video recorded submissions, artwork, or recordings of song or dance in addition to written submissions.

Free, confidential, and safe social and emotional wellbeing support and legal advice is available for all First Peoples wishing to tell their truth to Yoorrook.

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