The Allan Labor Government has taken another important step towards Treaty negotiations and a better shared future for all Victorians, with this week's opening of the Treaty Negotiations Database.
The Treaty Negotiations Database was launched this week by the Treaty Authority. The Database will hold information on which parties are involved in Treaty negotiations, as well as the status of negotiations.
It is the official register of all parties engaging in Treaty negotiations, which will include the Victorian Government and the First Peoples Assembly of Victoria.
The Treaty Authority will administer the database, and they will shortly invite negotiating parties to register so that they can participate in the negotiation process.
Parties must meet minimum standards to be entered onto the Database. The purpose of the Database is to track participants in the negotiation process, as well as store information on what is being negotiated.
In the coming months, the Treaty Authority will invite negotiating parties including the Victorian Government to register and once registered, negotiations are expected to start shortly after.
The Labor Government has been on the path to Truth and Treaty for eight years - a steady, long-term approach embedded in two Acts of Parliament.
A critical part of Victoria's journey has been the establishment and success of the independent democratically elected body representing First Peoples in Treaty - the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria.
The Treaty Authority was appointed by the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria and the Victorian Government last December, based on recommendations from an expert panel. This followed the passing of the Treaty Authority and Other Treaty Elements Act with bipartisan support in 2022.
Alongside Victoria's Treaty process, the Yoorrook Justice Commission has been investigating parts of our past that have been buried and shining a light on how this past informs the injustices of today.
Treaty negotiations will be informed by the findings and recommendations of the Yoorrook Justice Commission.
As stated by Minister for Treaty and First Peoples Natalie Hutchins:
"The opening of the Treaty Negotiations Database, overseen by the independent Treaty Authority, means we are on track to begin Treaty negotiations this year."
"We working to bring Victorian communities together through Treaty, having passed legislation, developed policies and taken action at every level of government to build relationships based on respect and understanding."
