2 July 2025
Uniting Church Welcomes Yoorrook Justice Commission Report
The Uniting Church welcomes the Yoorrook Justice Commission’s final report as a significant step towards Truth Telling, understanding, and justice for First Peoples.
Uniting Church Synod of Victoria and Tasmania Moderator Rev David Fotheringham said the Church looked forward to exploring and responding to the recommendations, specifically Recommendations 18 and 19 in Volume 2, Chapter 8 titled ‘Impacts of Country being stolen’.
“The Yoorrook Justice Commission has clearly reflected the impacts of colonisation for First Peoples in Victoria, and we are called to respond,” David said.
“The Uniting Church is committed to acknowledging the impacts of colonisation and ongoing injustice, to responding to the recommendations and to working cooperatively towards a more just future for First Peoples.
“We call on the Victorian Government, through the Treaty process, to address past injustices and work to build a more just society. The Uniting Church is committed to playing a role in that transformational work.”
In its evidence to the Commission, the Uniting Church acknowledged past actions that contributed to dispossession and loss of culture for First Peoples, including receiving grants of Crown land made with no consideration of First People’s sovereignty, connection to the land or rights.
“As a Church, we have to come to terms with the parts of our history that hurt First Peoples, and to now undertake meaningful initiatives that promote healing and restore rights,” David said.
As part of its engagement with truth-telling:
- The Synod Standing Committee has established a Truth Telling Response Working Group, which is giving consideration to what fair responses can be made by the Synod to the historical and ongoing injustices faced by First Peoples, including developing a roadmap for future engagement by the Synod to ongoing matters emerging from the Yoorrook Justice Commission’s Report.
- The Uniting Church will continue to seek guidance from, and support the work of, the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress (UAICC). Since 1993 it has worked under a covenant with the UAICC to create a more just Church and nation.
- The Uniting Church will continue its 40-year support for a treaty, including encouraging our congregations to make statements in support of the Victorian treaty process.
- The Church will continue to advocate for policies and practices that ensure equitable access to resources, opportunities, and services for First Peoples.
David and other Church members welcomed the chance to be part of the Walk for Truth, and acknowledged all the truth-tellers who contributed to the report.
