Uncovering a Dark Chapter: The Yoorrook Commission’s Groundbreaking Report on Indigenous Genocide in Victoria
In one of the most harrowing revelations in recent Australian history, a royal commission has laid bare the brutal reality of what many now recognize as genocide committed against the Indigenous peoples of Victoria during the 19th century. According to the four-year-long investigation by the Yoorrook Justice Commission, the arrival of British colonists triggered a catastrophic collapse of the First Peoples’ population — wiping out about 75% within just two decades. The causes? A deadly mix of violence, forced removals, disease, and deliberate policies that tore apart communities, cultures, and lives.
What the Commission Found: The Scale and Scope of Devastation
The Yoorrook Commission’s final report, delivered to Victoria’s Parliament recently, paints a chilling picture. Between roughly 1835 and 1852, the Indigenous population plummeted from around 45,000 to fewer than 15,000 — a staggering loss of 30,000 lives in less than 20 years. This wasn’t a tragic accident or an unfortunate byproduct of colonization, but a coordinated set of actions aimed explicitly at dismantling the very foundation of First Peoples’ existence.
Here’s what the report emphasized:
“Yoorrook found that the decimation of the First Peoples population in Victoria was the result of a coordinated plan of different actions aimed at the destruction of the essential foundations of the life of national groups.”
In no uncertain terms, the commission concluded:
This was genocide.
This brutal campaign of destruction wasn’t just about wiping out people physically. It included mass abductions of children—an attempt to erase cultural identity—alongside massacres, forced displacements, and systematic economic exclusion that would reverberate through generations.
Economic Inequality Rooted in Colonial Practices
The report also highlighted that the ripple effects of these atrocities continue today. First Peoples in Victoria have faced persistent barriers to economic opportunity — from denied access to education and employment to outright exclusion from property ownership. The colonial systems erected during that dark period created structural inequalities that still hobble Indigenous communities.
As the commission noted:
“First Peoples in Victoria have been consistently excluded from opportunities to generate wealth. Colonial systems prevented First Peoples from participating in economic life and wealth creation, including through education, employment opportunities, and owning property.”
This legacy is not some distant historical footnote. It’s a current reality:
The ongoing economic disparities are directly tied to “colonial practices and state-sanctioned exclusion.”
Reclaiming Truth and Justice: The Role of the Yoorrook Commission
What sets this report apart is its commitment to truth-telling. For the first time, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have had an official platform to share their experiences, stories, and grievances. Over its four years, the commission gathered testimony that laid bare the deep scars left by colonization.
With more than 100 recommendations, the report aims to not only acknowledge past harms but also to chart a path toward meaningful redress and systemic reform. At its core is a call for a treaty-like framework that empowers First Peoples through:
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Structural reforms in education, health, and justice
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Institutional accountability and political representation
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Land rights restoration and formal apologies
Education and Racism: Reforming the System
One critical area the commission addressed was education. It’s not just about putting Indigenous history into textbooks (though that’s important). The report calls for an overhaul of the entire education system to ensure Aboriginal content is central, educators receive anti-racism training, and disciplinary policies are fair—aiming to reduce the disproportionate suspensions and expulsions of Aboriginal students.
The commission urges:
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Embedding Aboriginal culture and history throughout the curriculum
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Anti-racism training for teachers and school staff
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Fairer disciplinary practices to prevent discrimination
Tackling Systemic Racism in Health Care and Justice
Health care for First Peoples has also been marred by systemic racism and neglect. The report describes a health system that fails to adequately serve Indigenous communities, often exacerbating disparities in physical and mental well-being.
Among the recommendations:
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Increased funding for tailored, culturally sensitive health services
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Transferring responsibility for First Peoples’ health in incarceration from justice to health departments
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Removing the role of police in managing Indigenous mental health crises, instead investing in dedicated mental health support
The commission stresses the importance of Indigenous leadership in health care and education — calling for more First Peoples in professional and leadership roles.
Land Rights: Addressing Historical Wrongs
One of the more passionate calls in the report concerns land — the foundation of culture, identity, and survival. The commission condemned the discriminatory veterans’ land scheme that gave plots to all soldiers returning from World War I and II — except Indigenous veterans.
It also demands the return of lands currently held by churches, universities, and other institutions, often acquired for little or no compensation, back to the original First Nations owners. These land injustices remain a painful symbol of colonial theft.
Political Representation and Accountability
A recurring theme throughout the report is the lack of accountability and trust. Nearly all the problems it outlines — from economic exclusion to cultural erasure — tie back to Indigenous peoples being sidelined from decision-making that affects them.
To fix this, the commission recommends establishing a permanent First Peoples’ assembly with real authority to influence policies. This body would ensure government is held accountable and that First Peoples have a genuine voice in Victoria’s future.
Controversies and Political Reactions
Interestingly, the commission itself was divided. Three of the five commissioners opposed including some of these bold recommendations in the final report, signaling ongoing debates about how far reforms should go.
Victoria’s Premier, Jacinta Allan, responded cautiously. While she welcomed the report and called it “historic,” she said the government would need time to digest the findings. She expressed support for strengthening First Peoples’ assemblies but stopped short of endorsing full decision-making powers.
Her words:
“When you listen to people, you get better outcomes, and that’s what treaty is all about. I reckon we’re up for that as a state.”
Indigenous Leaders Demand Recognition and Reconciliation
Voices from the Aboriginal community have been unequivocal. Jill Gallagher, CEO of the Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organization, emphasized the irrefutable nature of the genocide finding:
“We don’t blame anyone alive today for these atrocities, but it is the responsibility of those of us alive today to accept that truth — and all Victorians today must accept, recognize, and reconcile with these factual findings.”
Her statement highlights a crucial point: acknowledging the past honestly and openly is the foundation for genuine healing and moving forward.
Key Takeaways at a Glance:
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75% of Victoria’s Indigenous population wiped out in 20 years due to violence, disease, and colonial policies
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The commission labeled these actions genocide
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Indigenous peoples faced mass abductions, massacres, and economic exclusion
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Current economic inequalities trace back to colonial-era policies
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Over 100 recommendations focus on treaty frameworks, education, health reform, land rights, and political representation
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Calls for a First Peoples’ assembly with decision-making power
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Mixed political reactions, but growing momentum for change
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Indigenous leaders urge truth, recognition, and reconciliation
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