Greens negotiations lead to strengthened Treaty legislation

2018-06-06

Press Release

The Victorian Greens negotiations have led to meaningful improvements in the Victorian Government's proposed Treaty legislation, however spokesperson for Aboriginal Affairs, Lidia Thorpe, is disappointed with the lack of recognition of the sovereignty of Victoria's First people.

The Greens discussions with the Government to strengthen the legislation have resulted in:

• Establishing an Elders Council, whose purpose is 'to provide oversight of the Aboriginal Representative Body to help keep it culturally accountable to community'.

• Holding a state-wide meeting to consult on Treaty and the Aboriginal Representative Body where all Clans and First Nations would be invited to attend, as well as the Traditional Owner Groups, Corporations and
Organisations. This would be the first time Clans and First Nations have been consulted on the treaty process. Labor has confirmed $700,000 to establish a grant scheme that will support Aboriginal Victorians – including Aboriginal Elders and Traditional Owners – on the journey to Treaty.

• Recognising Victorian Traditional Owners as a key party to the treaty process in the legislation and specifying that only Traditional Owners can sit on the Aboriginal Representative Body.

• Inserting a statement into the preamble of the bill that recognises the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the concept of 'free, prior and informed consent' as guiding the treaty process.

• Specifying that the Treaty Authority is independent of the influence of the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.
Quotes from Lidia Thorpe, Victorian Greens Spokesperson for Aboriginal Affairs:

"We will continue to work toward a Treaty process where the First Peoples of Victoria, the Clans and First Nations, are central to decision making and negotiations.

"The Greens are pleased by Labor's willingness to negotiate and welcome these important changes, however I'm disappointed that the Government will not recognise the sovereignty of the Clans of Victoria in the legislation. It's not just about respect, it's about protecting our legal and human rights.

"The Elders Council must be made up of self-determined representatives of the Clans and First Nations, not government appointed officials as has been the case with previous bodies.

"Elders are the lawmakers and most respected people in Aboriginal culture. The Elders Council will be a voice of authority on the treaty process and hold the Aboriginal Representative Body to high cultural and ethical standards."