- Victoria Senior ministers to be grilled by royal commission into injustices against Indigenous Victorians
Senior ministers have been warned to show “honesty and courage” as they’re grilled by Victoria’s truth telling commission while it probes injustices against aboriginal Victorians.
April 21, 2023 - 11:47AM
Senior ministers to be grilled before royal commission. Picture: Brianna Young/Yoorrook Justice Commission.
Senior Andrews government ministers will be grilled by the state’s powerful truth telling commission as it probes injustices against Aboriginal Victorians.
They have also been warned to show “honesty and courage” amid ongoing frustrations that the government has hindered the inquiry’s work.
The Yoorrook Justice Commission will hold public hearings next month and in a historic moment will call the government’s senior decision makers for questioning over policy failings.
It has the powers of a royal commission and has so far focused on problems with the justice and child protection system.
Minister for Police, Anthony Carbines will be interviewed as part of the royal commission. David Crosling
Among those to be interviewed are Attorney-General Jaclyn Symes, Police Minister Anthony Carbines, Corrections Minister Enver Erdogan and Child Protection Minister Lizzie Blandthorn.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton is also scheduled to give evidence, with a full week of hearings also focused on department officials and agencies.
Commission chair Professor Eleanor Bourke said government leaders had to be held responsible for damage to Aboriginal Victorians.
“The Yoorrook Justice Commission has heard incredibly powerful evidence from First Peoples, many of whom have shared painful or traumatic stories at great personal expense,” she said.
“Now it is time to hear from the Victorian government, police and corrections administrators.
“The Commission expects these witnesses to show the same honesty and courage as the First Peoples we have heard from to date.
Chair of the Yoorrook Justice Commission Professor Eleanor Bourke. Picture: Brianna Young/Yoorrook Justice Commission.
“These hearings are an opportunity for government to begin to address and remedy the wrongs of the past.
“Leaders in government must take responsibility for the systems, laws and policies that have caused – and continue to cause – harm to First Peoples.”
The warning about giving honest evidence comes after the commission hauled the government before a public hearing over delays in providing documents.
The slow pace of the state’s efforts to hand over information have forced Yoorrook’s final report to be handed down a year later than planned, prompting a strong rebuke from the independent inquiry.
They have also been criticised for the quality of evidence they have provided.
Last month, Commissioner Sue-Anne Hunter told the government their responses so far had been “extremely disappointing” and warned the state they would haul them before more hearings if they did not live up to its commitments.
www.theguardian.com
