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An important national inquiry into missing First Nations women and children has officially been launched. The motion, started by Green senator for Western Australia and Yamatji Noongar Dorinda Cox, has been passed by the senate.
The historic inquiry is the first of its kind in Australia. It will investigate “the systemic causes of violence including underlying social, economic, cultural, institutional and historical causes contributing to the ongoing violence and particular vulnerabilities of First Nations women and children.”
As WA’s first female Aboriginal senator, Cox used her inaugural speech in October to push for the inquiry and First Nations rights. Now, she’s shared her joy at the “20 years in the making” motion finally being passed.
“This important motion is history-making because on this day, in this place, we have the opportunity to refer to the committee an important issue for First Nation women and children who have been missing and murdered,” Cox said. “This issue has continued for generations — generations of families and communities that have been affected.”
Victorian Greens senator and Gunnai Gunditjmara and Djab Wurrung woman Lidia Thorpe expressed her personal connection to the motion, mentioning her cousin who was murdered in Victoria several years ago.
“(She was) dumped on the front lawn of her mother’s house, dead, by the perpetrator that killed her,” Thorpe said. “Today is the day where First Nations women and children’s cries have finally been heard.”
Cox revealed she had spoken with many First Nations families left behind who still can’t understand why their lost loved ones have gone unnoticed and their cases unsolved.
“As a former police officer, I know there is a different urgency into looking for First Nations women and girls. This is particularly so for First Nations people, and more so for women and girls,” she explained.
The Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee is set to report on the matter by next June.
For decades, we’ve heard the cries of our women and children. Today, with the support of the Government, we secured an Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Aboriginal Women and Children. This is a historic day for Blak justice. pic.twitter.com/WHYcM4YygM
— Senator Lidia Thorpe (@SenatorThorpe) November 25, 2021
