Racism against First Peoples is a direct consequence of colonisation and remains embedded in Australia's institutions, laws and systems, the Co-Chair of Victoria's First Peoples' Assembly has told a parliamentary inquiry.

Appearing before the Senate inquiry into racism against Aboriginal people in Naarm, newly elected Assembly Co-Chair Djaran Murray-Jackson called on the Commonwealth to establish a federal truth-telling body, mirroring the Yoorrook Justice Commission in Victoria, and negotiate Treaties with First Peoples.

"Truth telling is an active process of addressing structural racism," Mr Murray-Jackson said.

"Australia has a skeleton in its closet, and it's time that skeleton came out."

Last year, the Yoorrook Justice Commission released its final report, described as a "powerful record" of the state's history from the perspective of Aboriginal communities.

Alongside the report, which contained 100 recommendations, the Commission released Yoorrook Truth Be Told, a public record documenting Victoria's history since colonisation and the major milestones of the Commission's four-year inquiry.

Mr Murray-Jackson — the Assembly's reserved seat holder representing Dja Dja Wurrung — said conversations with Mob across the state before Treaty was signed highlighted the need for truth-telling, with community members regularly arguing there could be "no treaty without truth".

Asked if there needed to be national truth-telling, Mr Murray-Jackson told the committee: "One hundred per cent."

"A truth-telling process, nationally and in every state, needs to happen," he said. "It's just about if the government is brave enough to take it on."

Fears over Treaty

Last year, Victoria became the first jurisdiction in the country to negotiate a Treaty with Traditional Owners.

The elected body of Traditional Owners, the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, will oversee the delivery of Treaty outcomes through a new governance structure known as Gellung Warl, meaning "tip of the spear" in Gunaikurnai.

Under the framework, the Assembly, alongside a permanent truth-telling body and an accountability commission, will oversee policies aimed at Closing the Gap in Victoria.

Mr Murray-Jackson said treaties are about "resetting the relationship and doing things differently".

"For the past 200 years," he told the committee, "what we've been doing hasn't been working."

Asked by inquiry member Senator Lidia Thorpe about the methods to address the "ongoing genocide" in Victoria, Mr Murray-Jackson said Treaty is a "massive step to addressing those issues".

While Gellung Warl might not look "powerful" individually, through its accountability mechanisms — including meetings with cabinet ministers — there is a great deal of strength in the body," he added.

However, the future of the body remains in doubt. The Victorian Liberal Party — who are ahead in the polls — has promised to scrap Treaty within 100 days of taking office.

Inquiry Chair Senator Jana Stewart asked Mr Murray-Jackson how Gellung Warl is working to keep Mob safe, knowing First Peoples are likely to be used "as a tool to gain votes in the state" during the upcoming state election.

"I can feel the weight on my shoulders," he replied.

He said concerns about Treaty are raised by Mob across the state.

"It's scary for our mob...every conversation with us they raise it," Mr Murray-Jackson said.

"I was hopeful Treaty would stay above party politics."

He said the Assembly's focus on economic self-determination aligned with the Liberal Party's long-term view, and he remained hopeful the Opposition would keep Treaty if it wins office in November.

Meta don't care

The inquiry — launched after the alleged terror attack in Boorloo on January 26 — has received hundreds of submissions from government agencies, academics, legal groups and Indigenous organisations outlining the impact racism has had on First Peoples across a wide range of settings.

Mr Murray-Jackson spoke of the toll of systemic racism on the Assembly staff. He said they had contacted Meta in 2023 after identifying 300 accounts posting racist comments on its social media platforms.

Meta deemed none of the comments racist, he said.

Asked if the company takes racism seriously, Mr Murray-Jackson was clear: "No, I don't"

"I don't think they take it seriously at all," he said. "It needs to be moderated properly."

Some staff have to stay up until 12 am deleting comments before getting up again at 6 am to start the job again, he added.

Gellung Warl's submission to the inquiry made 10 recommendations aimed at structural reform to address racism against First Peoples.

They include negotiating treaties nationally, establishing a national truth-telling and healing commission, creating an independent First Peoples-led accountability body, promoting economic self-determination, and strengthening laws and enforcement against online racial hatred.

Furthermore, they urged governments to embed First Peoples' culture, history and truth-telling in the national curriculum, build a culturally capable public sector, increase public recognition of First Peoples through ceremonies and place names, and consider implementing the Yoorrook Justice Commission's recommendations on justice, child protection, education, health, housing, economic participation and political reform.