The Aboriginal-led Yoo-rrook Justice Commission has been established as Australia’s first truth-telling process.
Five commissioners have been appointed to begin examining current and past injustices against First Nations people – and charting the course for a new shared future for all Victorians.
The commissioners were selected by an independent panel and have experience across the fields of law, sociology and systemic disadvantage, land rights, history, trauma, and healing.
Respected Wergaia/Wamba Wamba Elder Professor Eleanor Bourke has been appointed Chair of the Commission.
Dr Atkinson is an academic with substantial knowledge and experience in human rights, land justice, cultural heritage, and Koori oral history programs.
“My interest in the role of Justice Commissioner comes from my long and continued contribution to achieving fair and just outcomes for my people. The establishment of a formal mechanism with the potential to evaluate publicly the underlying causative effects of colonisation that continue to affect First Peoples lives today is a welcome call,” Commissioner Dr Atkinson said.
The work of the commission will be backed by more than $58 million in 2021/2022 Victorian Budget.
Dr Atkinson said having the equivalent powers of a Royal Commission would give substantive weight to the Truth Telling process.
Having played a major role in the Yorta Yorta Native Title Claim, Dr Atkinson said the Yorta Yorta struggle for land justice afforded him a profound understanding of land justice and mediation.
“My life’s journey and career path have been strongly influenced by my family and by admirable leaders of the calibre of my great Uncle William Cooper. I carry their cultural values and qualities with great pride as the driving force behind my interests in the role of the Justice Commissioner,” he said.
“The role of mediating a resolution of the historic and systemic injustices of colonisation that will provide a pathway for an agreeable treaty outcome for my people is the challenge that I’m up for.”
The commission will commence work in July.
