The First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria has declared its intent to begin Treaty negotiations with the Victorian government before the end of the year.
The elected members released a roadmap Friday outlining steps the Assembly will take between its elections in May and the start of negotiations to ensure it "lives up to the standards promised by the Treaty Negotiation Framework".
Assembly Co-Chair, Nira illim bulluk man of the Taungurung Nation, Marcus Stewart, said the roadmap was the "embodiment of the promise" the Assembly made to the Aboriginal community.
"We've been entrusted by our communities to find a path for the important and long overdue journey towards Treaty. This statement is the map that will guide the next Elected Members to complete the journey and get Treaty done. Treaty will benefit everyone who calls this state home," said Mr Stewart.
The Treaty Negotiation Framework, a key piece of the Treaty-making architecture agreed upon by the Assembly and the Victorian government last year, outlines the criteria both the Assembly and government must meet to enter negotiations about a statewide Treaty.
The Statement of Intention to negotiate Statewide Treaty states:
"A Statewide Treaty will not be a static document or a list of deliverables frozen in time. Treaty is about how we journey together. It is a living commitment to evolving and continuous agreement-making. Through Interim Agreements, the Assembly will progressively take back rights and decision-making power from the state and return it into the rightful hands of First Peoples."
The statewide Treaty will tackle "big, overarching issues" that affect all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria, including creating more jobs, better education and healthcare, and justice system reform. Traditional Owners will also be empowered to negotiate Treaties that reflect the aspirations and priorities specific to their areas.
Assembly Co-Chair and Bangerang and Wiradjuri Elder, Aunty Geraldine Atkinson, said statewide Treaty will have the self-determination of First Peoples at its heart.
"Treaty means genuine self-determination – the transfer of political power and decision-making power to First Peoples to make the decisions that affect our communities, lands and waters," she said.
"Our upcoming Assembly Elections are mob's opportunity to choose who represents them in Treaty negotiations. We need every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person in this state to register with us and vote to make sure Treaty delivers on our Community's dreams and aspirations."
The Assembly said the roadmap, "Statement of Intention to negotiate Statewide Treaty", details what the Assembly will do to ensure it: represents and is accountable to the full diversity of First Peoples in Victoria; builds and strengthens its representative structures and processes to ensure that all First Peoples' voices are heard; strengthens its governance and decision-making processes; and demonstrates the collective support of all Traditional Owners and First Peoples living in Victoria for Treaty outcomes.
By following the roadmap, the Assembly says it "seeks to satisfy the Land and Waters, Community, Leadership and Inclusivity criteria for Traditional Owner groups set out in the Treaty Negotiation Framework".
