In Conversation: National Commissioner Sue-Anne Hunter

Tell us about yourself and your work

I’m a Wurundjeri and Ngu rai Illum Wurrung woman. My Nan was the last woman born on Coranderrk Mission, so a lot of grounding has been done for me within our culture and community, which I’m really grateful for, and that’s really set me up for the roles that I’ve worked in.

I worked at VACCA (Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency) for over 20 years in numerous roles. I then did some work at SNAICC, did some consultancy of my own, been on lots of boards, then the opportunity come up for the Yoorrook Justice Commission. I remember the day they gave me the phone call I cried, because I was just like, ‘what an achievement’.

It was amazing being able to hold space for mob and pull all that work together into the final recommendations but also being able to contribute to setting the foundation for Treaty. Being part of that movement that’s happening in Victoria, it’s been really exciting.

I then advocated for there to be a National Commissioner role when I was working at SNAICC and it came up, and here I am.

What is the Commission’s position in Australia’s social, political, cultural landscape?

Our job is to speak up for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people. We’re there in those policy discussions to make sure their voices are heard and embedded into the systems and decisions that impact their lives.

So, its holding governments to account, and coordinating between the states and territories – the other commissioners, advocates and guardians – because every jurisdiction looks different. Some are legislated, some aren’t, but there’s power in numbers and strength in that collective voice. Together, we shape policies, partnerships and even legislation.

Coming from a social work background myself, I know what these policies look like in practice, and what’s actually achievable.

One of our biggest goals is to ensure that the voices of children and youth will be reflected. What do they need? And what can that look like? I really want to meet our youth and children where they’re at and get their voices into policy.

What role does the education sector play in advancing reconciliation?

Schools play a huge role, particularly in teaching the truth about Australian history. Education inequality and the historic whitewashing of colonisation in curriculum was something we investigated at Yoorrook, and I know it was a big part of the Victorian Treaty negotiations.

But understanding the ongoing impacts is just as important. What’s happening now? You might think it’s different, but it’s actually not, it’s the same but just looks different in today’s age. So having the truth be taught is so important, along with looking at what resources and support educators need to be able to embed Indigenous perspectives authentically in learning.

We also have to look at how we make schools culturally safe for our students and our families and addressing racism in schools. How do you create a truly inclusive environment? You can’t just teach it. There has to be a whole school approach, and it’s got to start with the leadership.

If we get it right for First Nations children, then we get it right for everybody.

What advice do you have for schools and early learning services who are looking to advance reconciliation?

They really need to understand it’s not a tick-a-box, right? You can’t just say, ‘we’re doing reconciliation’.

Start off small and get the small wins. Building the skills and knowledge in teachers and educators is a really important first step. What professional learning opportunities should schools and services prioritise for their staff? And it needs to be prioritised, not just a one-day cultural safety workshop.

Work with external Indigenous consultants, and Indigenous education experts, and your Traditional Owners. Ask yourself, how do you bring community perspectives into the conversation? How do you bring in parents and students so they can see that change is possible and that action is doable?

And how do we get to a reconciled future?

I think it’s all of us doing the labour. All of us working together coupled with the people in the establishment giving up a bit of power – it’s not going to hurt them – to First Nations people, because self-determination is where we get change, and we know we get better outcomes when we’re in the driver’s seat.

When you think you’ve got it right, go back and listen again, because there’s always room for listening so we can learn more and move forward.

And that’s one of the things good things about Reconciliation Action Plans, when done right and with experience and the different perspectives that contribute to them, they evolve, and people need to let them evolve organically, and move with them and learn, but don’t get stuck.

I think people get stuck because they don’t want to offend, so they don’t do. I would prefer people do, and try and say, ‘hey, I got it wrong’ and then try again to get it right, rather than not do. If you’re not doing, then you’re not learning.