Today Gellung Warl Co-chair Djaran Murray-Jackson appeared before the Federal Government’s Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Inquiry into racism, hate and violence directed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People in Melbourne.
Gellung Warl’s submission to the Inquiry called for the Australian Government to establish a national truth-telling commission to foster understanding and healing across the country and mitigate the rise of racist attacks on First Peoples.
Gellung Warl is the new First Peoples’ representative body established through Treaty in 2026 and is made up of democratically elected Traditional Owners from across Victoria.
Gellung Warl’s submission to the Inquiry states that racism directed at First Nations people is a direct product of colonial dispossession and operates at all levels of society: health, education, employment, housing, justice and financial.
Gellung Warl’s submission to the Inquiry recommended establishing a national truth-telling and healing commission as a way to eliminate structural and institutional racism.
Appearing before the committee, Co-chair Djaran Murray-Jackson highlighted the success of Australia’s first formal Truth-telling process, the Yoorrook Justice Commission. He told the Inquiry that establishing Yoorrook was a key priority for the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria in their first term, as a necessary step to dismantle the racial hierarchy created by colonisation.
“Yoorrook found that racism is embedded in laws, policies and institutions, and received evidence about the ongoing racism towards First Peoples across all societal institutions. Truth-telling at a structural level is critical to correct the public record and educate the wider public to drive long term change for a better future” Djaran said.
Gellung Warl’s submission also cited substantial numbers of First Peoples reporting everyday experiences of racism, regardless of age, gender or location. The lived experience of racism and its impacts were reported from past and current Members, their families, and Community across Victoria.
Speaking at the inquiry, Djaran recounted his own personal experiences with structural racism and told the Committee how violent attacks like those at Camp Sovereignty as well as the uptick in abusive online commentary were on the rise.
“Australia has a skeleton in its closet and it’s time for that skeleton to come out. We know that Truth-telling processes will go a long way in mitigating racism and I’m proud of the work we have done here in Victoria forging the path towards healing and justice” Djaran said.
Media contact: Clare Brosnan 0487 555 501 | [email protected]
