The Victorian Government and First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria make history today with the opening of negotiations for Australia's first Treaty.
Premier Jacinta Allan, Minister for Treaty and First Peoples Natalie Hutchins, the Victorian Government and the elected members of the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria today hosted a community ceremony at Darebin Parklands on Wurundjeri Woi- Wurrung Country for the Ceremonial Opening of Treaty Negotiations.
The first Statewide Treaty will be negotiated between the State of Victoria and the democratically elected body representing First Peoples, the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, in line with Treaty legislation and the Treaty Negotiation Framework.
The Victorian Government has worked with First Peoples for the past eight years to lay the foundations for Treaty negotiations, including passing two acts of Parliament and delivering on policies across every level of government.
Since 2019 the democratically elected Members of the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria have been talking with their communities in every corner of Victoria to listen to the hopes, needs and aspirations about how Treaty should be negotiated and what it should deliver.
Treaty is about making a better and fairer state for every Victorian and coming up with practical solutions on key issues for First Peoples - from keeping culture strong to improving the way services are delivered.
In addition to the Statewide Treaties to be negotiated by the Assembly, the various Traditional Owner groups across Victoria will be able to negotiate Treaties that reflect the priorities and aspirations in their local area.
Treaty is our opportunity to recognise the history we share and create a better and more equal future for all Victorians.
More details about the Statewide Treaty can be found at firstpeoplesvic.org/treaty-explainer.
As stated by Premier Jacinta Allan
"If you listen to the people directly affected by policies, you get better outcomes - that's commonsense."
"Treaty is about making a better and fairer state for every Victorian."
As stated by Minister for Treaty and First Peoples Natalie Hutchins
"This is a historic day for our State and for our nation - Treaty will be a practical agreement, and a chance for all of us to build a more equitable and inclusive Victoria, which we can all take pride in."
As stated by First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria Co-Chair Ngarra Murray
"We commence these negotiations with the support of our communities."
"Treaty is from the ground up and talking to our communities at every step. We are ready, we are prepared, and we look forward to a better future for our children, families and communities."
As stated by First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria Co-Chair Rueben Berg
"Whether it's caring for land and keeping culture strong or improving the way services like health and education are delivered at a local level, we want to negotiate a Treaty that will empower Aboriginal communities for generations to come."
"Treaty negotiations will draw a line in the sand, right past wrongs, and deliver real improvements to the lives of First Peoples - in housing, education, health, employment. The past cannot be changed. What we can do now is sit down respectfully and negotiate how we move forward."
