The First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria has made its claim to be the body that represents the state’s Traditional Owners in negotiations with the Victorian Government over a statewide Treaty.
The assembly is already negotiating with the government on behalf of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders living in Victoria the rules under which Treaties will be negotiated and issues relating to that structure, known as the Treaty negotiation framework.
The framework has to be in place before Treaties can be negotiated.
Now, after a two-day chamber meeting in Lakes Entrance on the land of the Gunaikurnai, assembly members have confirmed they also want the role of negotiating a Treaty on a statewide level.
The government is yet to make a firm commitment to a hybrid model of both a statewide Treaty and multiple localised Treaties with individual Traditional Owner groups, but assembly co-chair and Bangerang and Wiradjuri Elder Aunty Geraldine Atkinson said the assembly was the natural choice to negotiate a statewide Treaty that dealt with statewide matters should that be the course that was followed.
“The assembly has representatives of nations from across the state, and more and more people are enrolling to show their support and have a say in our elections,” Aunty Geraldine said.
“We’ve been out yarning with mob, working out what Treaty needs to deliver. We’ve built a strong collective voice for our people and we want to use it.”
With “truth-telling” under way in the form of the Yoorrook Justice Commission and an independent Treaty “umpire”, or Treaty authority, soon to be established, the remaining tasks for the current group of assembly members this term is to reach agreement with the government over a self-determination fund to help fund negotiations and the framework that will guide future talks.
The assembly will then hold an election next year to allow members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community in Victoria to choose representatives they want to negotiate a statewide Treaty, while Traditional Owner groups prepare for Treaties at more local levels specific to their lands and waters.
“We’ve had a very productive two days with lots of fantastic conversations,” Aunty Geraldine said.
“A lot was put on the table and we still have a bit of work to do to translate it all into the proposed framework, but it’s clear we’re on the home stretch.
“The big question now is will the government put its money where its mouth is and provide the actual resources needed to bring Treaty to life?”
Agreement with the government about the self-determination fund and the Treaty negotiation framework is expected to be reached before the state election, but the framework will be reviewed within its first 12 months and include the ability for amendments.