The echoes of colonial injustice against Indigenous Australians have been confirmed as atrocities akin to genocide, marking a pivotal call for reconciliation.
At a Glance
- The Yoorrook Justice Commission confirmed genocide against Indigenous Australians by British colonists.
- Indigenous population in Victoria plummeted by three-quarters due to violence and disease.
- The report recommends 100 measures to address harm from colonization.
- National efforts underway for reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
Unveiling Historical Atrocities
The Yoorrook Justice Commission, an Aboriginal-led inquiry, has brought to light a harrowing chapter of Australian history: the genocide committed by British colonists against Indigenous Australians in Victoria. This form of systemic violence wasn’t merely about taking land; it involved a coordinated campaign aimed at the destruction of Indigenous communities. The inquiry found that within just 20 years of colonization beginning in the early 1830s, Indigenous populations were decimated by three-quarters due to the brutality unleashed upon them.
Inquiry finds British committed genocide on Indigenous Australians https://t.co/T5O4EB7EbK
— Seánie B (@SMacB) July 2, 2025
The Commission, which is part of Australia’s first formal “truth-telling” inquiries, emphasized that contemporary recognition and reconciliation are essential. The report details crimes including cultural erasure, disease, and massacres, all contributing to a catastrophic decline in the Indigenous population. The accounts and recommendations seek to not only address these past wrongs but pave a way for future justice.
Pathway to Reconciliation and Justice
The Commission’s findings extend beyond acknowledgment. A staggering 100 recommendations were made to begin bridging the gap between past injustices and future equity. These recommendations include potential reparations, changes in education narratives to truthfully depict history, and a formal government apology to Aboriginal soldiers who were wrongly excluded from land settlement schemes. Importantly, it urged for the inclusion of Indigenous voices in leadership roles to guide and implement these changes at all levels of governance.
“British colonists committed genocide against Australia’s Indigenous population in Victoria, a landmark Aboriginal-led inquiry has found.” – Yoorrook Justice Commission.
The inquiry underscores the pressing need to rectify ongoing disparities, especially in health, education, and rights to land and water. The pervasive issue of endemic racism, particularly within the healthcare system, was targeted with calls to increase funding and Indigenous representation. Such efforts, combined with grassroots testimonies collected over four years, provide a robust framework to begin genuine healing and reconciliation.
Watch a report: An inquiry has brought to light a harrowing chapter of Australian history.
A New Chapter for Future Generations
The path to reconciliation is complex and demands sustained commitment from all sectors of society. Jill Gallagher, head of Victoria’s Aboriginal health body, emphasized the need for today’s generation to acknowledge these truths to move forward. The Victorian government, led by Premier Jacinta Allan, will now consider the findings, with hopes that enlightened policy and leadership can transform the symbolic gestures of acknowledgment into tangible social justice actions that resonate with all Australians.
This landmark inquiry is only the beginning. With other states in Australia also engaging in similar truth-telling processes, the hope is to foster a national dialogue focused on inclusive reconstruction and a common future that respects Indigenous heritage and rights. The rejection of a national referendum to create an Aboriginal Voice reminds us that achieving such a future is not without challenges, but the demand for conscience and progressive action continues to grow stronger.
