Liam McNally
Aboriginal community controlled organisation Djirra has welcomed the release of the Yoorrook Justice Commission report into Victoria’s Child Protection and Criminal Justice Systems and joined the commissioners in requesting the immediate implementation of all 46 recommendations.
The report, tabled in parliament earlier in September, details extensive systemic injustice, racism, discriminatory laws and policy failures that have, and continue to, cause harm to First Peoples.
Djirra chief executive, a Kuku Yalanji woman who grew up in Melton, Antoinette Braybrook AM said the recommendations in thr report come directly from Aboriginal people in Victoria sharing their deepest and most personal stories.
“The Premier committed to an overhaul of Victoria’s child protection system, and this report highlights why the only way forward is through listening to Aboriginal people. This report is truth telling that the Victorian government must not ignore,” she said.
The report found inadequacies in the child protection system result in Aboriginal children in Victoria being overrepresented by 11 to 1.
Ms Braybrook called these statistics alarming.
“The vast majority of Djirra’s work is in supporting mums whose children are caught up in the child protection system. Since opening our centre in Melton two months ago, the number of Aboriginal women accessing our services for support with child protection has increased,” she said.
“Systemic racism is a key contributor to child protection reports being made against Aboriginal mothers. Over 60 per cent of these reports are not substantiated. Our women have a genuine fear of this system and it must change. Our women must have access to our specialist work for theirs and that of their children’s safety.”
The report includes support for Djirra’s key call for the Victorian Government to establish and fund a mandatory child protection notification referral system, recommending that the government invest in providing free early legal help and holistic support for Aboriginal women.
Ms Braybrook said Djirra has advocated for many years at the national and state levels for the establishment of a child protection notification and referral system.
“We welcome the recognition Yoorrook has given to the critical importance of early access to legal representation and holistic support to prevent children being taken from their Mums, families and communities,” she said.
A state government spokesperson thanked the commissioners for their historic, truth-telling work.
“We will continue listening to and working with the Commission in an open, transparent and genuine way and will carefully consider all 46 recommendations,” they said.
Djirra is hosting an all-day community information session on the Voice referendum on Thursday, September 21 at its Melton premises at 1927-1937 Gisborne-Melton Road, Kurunjang. Registration is required.
Details: trybooking.com/events/landing/1106818
