The First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria will have a change of leadership in its next term after Bangerang and Wiradjuri Elder Aunty Geraldine Atkinson confirmed she would not contest the Assembly’s next election.
Aunty Geraldine’s co-chair, Marcus Stewart, a Nira illim bulluk man of the Taungurung Nation, has already indicated he will not stand for re-election to the Assembly, meaning the body that leads the state’s Treaty process will have two new leaders when the new members are confirmed after the upcoming election over three weeks in May and June.
Aunty Geraldine said that being the inaugural woman co-chair of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria had been an extraordinary honour and that she was proud of the Assembly’s significant achievements over its first term.
“Growing up, I’d often listen to our Elders talking about Treaty, but I never imagined I’d be one of the people entrusted by Community to help turn our collective hopes and dreams for Treaty into reality,” she said.
“We’ve achieved so much and I'm very proud of all of our elected Assembly members, who created a clear pathway to Treaty.”
Aunty Geraldine said the first term of the Assembly had focused on creating the process for how Treaty would be negotiated in Victoria, whereas the next group of people elected to the Assembly would be responsible for actually negotiating the statewide Treaty.
“There’s a lot of talented mob out there and I’m hoping we’ll see a lot of amazing people put their hands up to run as candidates,” she said.
“We need our people to show their support and have their say by getting enrolled with the Assembly, but we also need people willing to put in the hard yards and get Treaty done.
“Mob in Victoria are making history. We have a Voice with the Assembly, we have truth-telling up and running and Treaty negotiations will begin later this year. Now’s the time to get involved.”
Traditional Owners of Country in Victoria have until 4pm on Monday, April 24 to nominate as candidates.