TREATY – May 2023 Update

The First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria has been active since 2019 after many years of discussions, consultations, and roadshows. Since the induction they have been busy working to further treaty efforts for Vic mob.

You can refresh yourself on the history and formation of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria here and check out the current Assembly here.

Current Priorities

Traditional Owner Treaty

From the beginning the Assembly has been working with the Victorian government to develop a framework and process that can be used by Traditional Owner groups to begin Treaty negotiations of their own with the government. The framework has been agreed on and should allow for negotiations to begin by the end of 2023. The Traditional Owner Treaty can cover things like culture, language, land and water handbacks and economic development opportunities amongst many other things.

State-wide Treaty

Following the election of the new Assembly later this year a new focus for the Assembly will be the development of a State-wide Treaty with the Victorian government. This is still in the early stages and aims to ‘negotiate significant changes to Victoria’s structures and systems of government to achieve greater control over our own lives and destinies.’

A Meaningful Voice

The Assembly has been meeting with community reading ideas for reforms to help mob get in control of our lives and our community. Two key ideas that have come from these conversations are:

• A number of seats in the Victorian Parliament that mob can vote for.
• The creation of a permanent representative body with decision making powers that was elected by mob in Victoria to make decisions, and pass and administer laws on issues that affect mob.

Establishing the Treaty Authority

After negotiations the Government has agreed to give up some of its power to an independent Treaty Authority. The Treaty Authority will be an independent umpire grounded in culture, lore, and law. It will facilitate negotiations and help resolve disputes.

Self-Determination Fund

The Assembly has negotiated a Self-Determination Fund that is controlled and managed by mob. The fund will enable Traditional Owners to enter treaty negotiations with government and empower our communities to build wealth and greater capacity for future generations.

The Assembly will manage and administer the fund and it should be accessible to mob in the second half of 2023.