Treaty Process in Victoria
The Victorian Government committed to Treaty negotiations with Aboriginal people and communities in 2016.
In 2017, the Aboriginal Community Assembly, made up of 31 Aboriginal community members, met to consider key issues around the design of the Aboriginal Representative Body. Following consultation and engagement with community, the Aboriginal Treaty Working Group presented its final report on the design of the Aboriginal Representative Body in March 2018. This body was named the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria in February 2019.
The First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria is the voice for Aboriginal communities in the Treaty negotiation process. The Assembly is made up of proud Aboriginal leaders. All are Victorian Traditional Owners, elected and appointed by their communities.
Enshrined in law, the Assembly is working on three important steps to lead to Treaty negotiations:
The Treaty Authority – an independent umpire through the Treaty process.
The Treaty Negotiating Framework – which will set how treaties can be agreed in Victoria.
A Self-Determination Fund – so Aboriginal communities can be on a level playing field with government.
In May 2021, the Yoo-rrook Justice Commission was formally established as the nation's first truth-telling process in response to generations of advocacy by Aboriginal Victorians. The Commission will look into both past and ongoing injustices experienced by Traditional Owners and First Peoples in Victoria in all areas of life since colonisation.
In June 2020, the Assembly agreed to adopt a negotiating position that includes state-wide and local Treaties. The Assembly published a discussion paper that provides examples of some of the rights that could be considered under these Treaties. These potential rights include:
Truth-telling;
Recognition of sovereignty;
Self-governance;
Economic development;
Designated seats for Aboriginal people in State Parliament;
Transfer and buy backs for Country;
Taxation recognising unique position of Aboriginal Victorians;
Criminal and civil law and justice reform;
Redress for state policies (e.g. stolen wages);
Centring and embedding the histories of Aboriginal Peoples in schools;
Social and welfare;
Reviving and strengthening local languages and cultures; and
Caring for Country (e.g. agriculture, water, fisheries, and forests).
For more information about the Treaty process in Victoria, visit the First Peoples’ Assembly website.