‘It Begins with Victoria’ — The Yoorrook Justice Commission & Innovating Transitional Justice for First Nations Australia

Abstract

Transitional justice is long overdue to address colonialism and ongoing harms to First Nations people in Australia. The full truth of Australian history is ripe for recognition; yet, until recently, national efforts to address the colonial past have been partial, disconnected and State-centric. Moreover, the Federal government has often used the term ‘reconciliation’ politically as a rhetorical device, rather than a term of transitional justice. Nevertheless, in 2021, the State of Victoria established Australia’s first ever comprehensive truth-telling process with the Yoorrook Justice Commission. Seeking to address the harms since colonisation, the state process is unprecedented, based on its scope, First Nations ownership, powers of a Royal Commission and ability to hold the state accountable. This article examines the Commission’s contribution to structural truth-telling, First Nations empowerment, and institutional reform. It also identifies the Victorian initiative as a ground-breaking transitional justice model for settler-colonialism. Despite the challenges, incorporating truth and reconciliation through a First Nations lens might allow actual healing and practical change to occur.