They were nearly wiped out by disease and in mass killings and other horrific crimes.
Archived version: https://archive.is/newest/https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/australianz/truth-telling-inquiry-finds-australias-indigenous-people-faced-genocide
Disclaimer: The article linked is from a single source with a single perspective. Make sure to cross-check information against multiple sources to get a comprehensive view on the situation.
Not an Australian but living in Victoria. I think the “Aboriginal-led” is the big point of difference in this investigation.
Link to ABC (Australia) article