Lidia Thorpe (Victoria, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

Mass killings, disease, sexual violence and environmental degradation. This was genocide. This is not a quote about Israel's genocide in Gaza. It's a quote from the Yoorrook Justice Commission about what happened here based on the stories of over 1,500 First Peoples across Victoria. My people were and still are its victims and its survivors. It continues today in a different form. So why is the government silent? This month Gunditjmara man Travis Lovett is bringing the Yoorook report to parliament. He is walking more than 800 kilometres from Wurundjeri country through Taungurung, Yorta Yorta and Wiradjuri country to Ngunawal-Ngambri country, where parliament sits. Thousands of people of all ages, backgrounds, genders and religions are walking with him—first peoples and allies, people who want to tell their stories and listen to the stories of others, people who want truth-telling. Anthony Albanese ran on a promise to have real truth-telling in this country. He acknowledged the work of the Yoorook Justice Commission when he attended the Gaarma Festival last year. But today I echo Travis' call for the PM to publicly commit to a national truth-telling process led in genuine partnership with the first peoples. It must be legislated, well-resourced and allowed to take the time it needs.

Travis and those who walk with him say that truth-telling is an act of respect and national repair. Truth-telling is not about dividing this country. Truth-telling us about bringing this country together for healing and unity.