The “systematic” attempt to erase Aboriginal people from the history books has left Victorians ignorant of the state’s full history, that’s according to Victorian Premier and Member for Bendigo East, Jacinta Allan.
Premier Allan was the first state leader to front a formal First Nations truth-telling inquiry last week.
Including herself among the ‘ignorant’, Allan says learning about the depth of brutality involved in historical massacres of Aboriginal tribes near her home shamed and “distressed” her – specifically citing massacres of tribes on Dja Dja Wurrung’s land.
She gave several hours of evidence, agreeing sovereignty was never ceded and that First Nations people are often used as “political footballs”.
CEO of Djaara, Rodney Carter commends the Premier for her honesty and for fronting the inquiry.
Allan also expressed her government’s commitment to ensuring the state’s full history is properly taught in schools.
Carter says we must teach future generations about Australia’s true history.
Carter says he is hopeful for the future of Victoria’s Treaty following this inquiry.
Allan agreed with the commission that Aboriginal people were massacred and dispossessed by settlers who wanted their land.
Commissioner Travis Lovett asked the premier if she accepted that First Nations people “have been saying this for 200 years, what really happened to us”.
“I most certainly do,” Allan said.
After hours of fielding questions from Yoorrook, chair and Wergaia elder, Aunty Eleanor Bourke urged the Premier to “live up to your words”.
