Greens election candidate calls for commission

A Greens candidate in the upcoming WA State election has called for the establishment of a bipartisan Truth Telling Commission ahead of the State’s bicentenary in four years time.

“We call on the community to urgently support a West Australian Truth Telling Commission, which must be implemented before 2029,” Eric Hayward said at a rally in Perth.

“Australia is alone in celebrating colonisation. I urge both sides of politics to present a bipartisan approach and support a Truth Telling Commission in the next parliament,” he said.

“It is time to move beyond the bickering, division, and denying the truth about our shared history.”

Mr Hayward, a former history teacher, also criticised the state’s education system for failing to reflect Indigenous perspectives in the curriculum.

“Tell the truth so we can acknowledge and heal the past and build pathways to unify, not divide,” Mr Hayward said.

“We must tell both sides of history,” he said.

“By doing so, we can foster a more united and informed West Australian society.”

Mr Hayward is the Greens WA candidate for Cannington at the election.