Truth-telling commission pledges to work closely with new assembly leaders

Jul 26, 2023

**Co-operation:** Yoorrook Justice Commission chairwoman Eleanor Bourke says the commission will work closely with the incoming co-chairs of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria. Photo by contributed

The Yoorrook Justice Commission has congratulated Rueben Berg and Ngarra Murray on being elected the new co-chairs of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria.

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Ms Murray, a Wamba Wamba, Yorta Yorta, Dhudhuroa and Dja Dja Wurrung woman representing the metropolitan region, and Mr Berg, a Gunditjmara man, who represents the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation, were elected to the positions at the first meeting of the Assembly’s second term in Legislative Council Chamber at Parliament House on Wednesday, July 26.

The Assembly represents Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria and will negotiate a statewide Treaty with the Victorian Government during its second term.

Yoorrook Justice Commission chair Eleanor Bourke said the commission would work with the new co-chairs to ensure the stories of First Nations people since settlement were told.

“We look forward to working closely with the council, co-chairs and all Assembly members to continue to advance truth-telling in Victoria,” Professor Bourke said.

“Commissioners also extend their warmest thanks to outgoing Assembly co-chairs Aunty Geraldine Atkinson and Marcus Stewart.

“They have been tireless in their work for First Peoples and instrumental in establishing Yoorrook. We thank them.”

The Yoorrook Justice Commission is Victoria’s formal truth-telling inquiry and the first of its kind in Australia.

It was established by the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria and the Victorian Government in 2021.