In this submission to the Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Reconciliation Australia outlines support for the establishment of a national Truth and Justice Commission to inquire into and make recommendations to Parliament on matters relating to historic and ongoing injustice against First Nations peoples in Australia.
Reconciliation Australia’s submission highlights the need for a national commission to build on the momentum generated by First Nations community led and state-based truth-telling processes across the nation, and to fulfill the principles expressed in the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
The following recommendations were provided for consideration in the Truth and Justice Commission Bill 2024:
- Self-determination must be embedded in a National Truth and Justice Commission through Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander control of the process.
- Truth-telling processes should adopt a strengths based approach.
- Truth-telling processes need to ensure safety and prevent re-traumatisation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants and their families.
- Mechanisms for justice and reparations must be provided in a National Commission.
