The Hon. Anthony North KC appointed Yoorrook Commissioner

^{The Hon. Anthony North KC}

Former Federal Court Judge the Hon. Anthony North KC has been appointed as a Commissioner of Victoria’s formal truth telling process, the Yoorrook Justice Commission.

Commissioner North has had a long and distinguished legal career.

Commissioner North served as a judge of the Federal Court of Australia from 1995 to 2018. For the past four-and-a-half years he has been Chair of the Victorian Law Reform Commission (VLRC).

During his time as a judge, Commissioner North’s main areas of work were cases about native title, refugee law, industrial law, and criminal appeals in the Australian Capital Territory Court of Appeal.

In his role as Chair of the VLRC Mr North has consulted extensively with First Nations organisations and community members on issues of social justice.

Chair of Yoorrook, Professor Eleanor Bourke welcomed Commissioner North's appointment on behalf of all Commissioners.

“This is a crucial period in the truth telling process. Yoorrook is undertaking concurrent inquiries into land, health, housing, education and economic, social and political life. Yoorrook will hold public hearings in the coming months and will complete its historic work by June 2025.

“As a former judge with a long and illustrious legal career, Commissioner North will bring invaluable experience and insight to Yoorrook as we work to fulfil the Commission’s extensive mandate. I welcome Commissioner North and look forward to working with him.”

Commissioner North said, “I am honoured to contribute to the historic work of the Yoorrook Justice Commission. I hope that my skills and experience will help advance its work: to tell the truth of our history. That truth is the foundation for community understanding, which is necessary so that we can move towards a more just society.”

Commissioner North was formally appointed by the Governor of Victoria, Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC on Tuesday. He commenced in the role effective immediately.

Land, sky and water roundtables continue

^{Yoorrook Commissioner Travis Lovett with Tati Tati Traditional Owners} 

Yoorrook Commissioners continue to yarn with Traditional Owners about the impact of colonisation on land, sky and waters. From late November to the end of January, Commissioners travelled across the state to meet on country with the: 

• Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation 
• Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation  
• First People of the Millewa Mallee Aboriginal Corporation 
• Wollithiga Clan Aboriginal Corporation 
• Tati Tati Kaiejin Aboriginal Corporation 
• Nimmie Caira Land & Water Aboriginal Corporation 
• Bangerang Aboriginal Corporation 
• Wamba Wemba Aboriginal Corporation 
• Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation 
• Gunditj Mirring Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation 

Several Traditional Owner groups also took Commissioners to sites of significance across the state as part of the evidence gathering and truth telling process.

More roundtables are scheduled over the coming weeks ahead of the commencement of public hearings on land, sky and waters.

Education, health and housing submissions close soon

There is just one week remaining for submissions in response to four issues papers on education, health and housing injustice affecting First Peoples in Victoria.   

Yoorrook invites all Victorians, organisations and government departments to make a submission on the extent, causes and consequences of injustice within the education, health and housing systems, barriers First Peoples face in accessing services and potential solutions to fix problems and improve accountability.   

Submissions can respond to the specific themes outlined in any or all of the issues papers or any other matter that might be relevant to these areas of inquiry. 

Submissions can be made via the Yoorrook website using the response form for organisations or individuals.  

Submissions responding to the issues papers close on Thursday 8 February 2024.  

Yoorrook will use submissions to make recommendations to right the wrongs of the past and make a better shared future for everyone. 

For queries about the issues papers or making a submission please contact enquiries@yoorrook.org.au or 1800 YOO RRK (1800 966 775).

Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission Services

Did you know that the Victorian Equal opportunities and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) has tailored services for First Peoples? If you have treated badly or unfairly in your employment, in goods and services, education, accommodation, or sport because of your: 

• race   
• disability  
• age  
• sex, pregnancy, parental/carer status 
• sexual orientation  
• physical features  
• or another characteristic of unlawful discrimination covered under the law 

You can make a complaint through VEOHRC. They can also provide support if you have:  

• experienced sexual harassment  
• been vilified because of your race or religious belief 
• been victimised – treated badly or unfairly because you have made a complaint. 

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We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and pay our respect to them, their culture and their Elders past and present.