Member for the North West region

Jason Kelly

Mutthi Mutthi and Wamba Wamba

I am a proud Wamba Wamba / Mutthi Mutthi man and inaugural member of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria.

I am the author of the resolution that delivered YooRook Truth Commission. I am passionate about the voice of grassroots mob and I will continue to do my best to advocate for the voice of grassroots.

I believe Treaty must deliver cultural and economic self determination . Sovereignty was never ceded nor never will be; Treaty must deliver on the already Aboriginal community concept of ‘Pay the Rent’ .

I will fight to ensure our rights to co exist and hold Government to account on promises already made through the Victorian Aboriginal Affairs Framework and as signatories to the United Nation’s Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Member Updates

March 2024 — Meeting of Assembly at Lakes Entrance

My name is Jason Kelly, I am Mutthi Mutthi / Wamba Wamba and my totem is pukumanama Red Kangaroo. 

Over the past few months, my priorities have been to listen to community as to what they see as the most immediate point of need in ensuring Treaty delivers equally for everyone with regards to better outcomes and pathways.  

I am very aware that Community Control goes to the heart of self-determination. I have a good understanding of Human Rights particularly international conventions and the importance of the United Nations Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. If Treaty delivers one thing, enshrining this in Legislation is the best opportunity to deliver on statutory reform to underpin Individual and collective rights and empower mob, even liberate. 

It starts with listening to grassroots community; hearing from them what their aspirations are, what would have happened for them that would make the change and deliver the outcomes they want is the starting point. Mob want to be heard and mob want opportunity to participate in setting policy and making decisions that directly affects them and have a say as to how services are delivered in their community, Treaty starts here and now, right there, is what I am hearing in the Region. They want reform that allows their voice to be heard in the city. 

Working fulltime additionally to being a community elected Assembly member has been challenging, so my priority has been to lobby to allow myself to commit the time and energy to Treaty for my Region. I see this as the best way to allow Community to be heard and hence set the agenda themselves for future meetings that fulltime commitment will deliver. It is too important a time particularly being responsible for the biggest area in Victoria representing over 80’000 sq km. 

From my community engagements so far, the standout points I have heard from Community is nothing new and is consistent across the Region. Community want better Education pathways; Voice to be heard in Land Council and ACCOs, Land investment and development, better access to mental health supports in the Regions, a Regional voice that is heard in the city and has real influence, not having to pay rates on land and homes that are owner occupier, State forests to allow for economic development in ways community want are amongst the many messages I am hearing from the North West Community.  

Taking these messages back to chamber and advocating for the Region in a way that makes the city hear, even if I have to talk until I am blue in the face, is how I advocate and continue to advocate for the North West communities and understanding each community is different and that what may work for one may not work for others. 

Looking ahead my priority is to inform Community of where we are; how we got here and what UNDRIP is; and allow community to understand where their power is. Also to listen to messages that allows for community to set the agenda for return visits, to workshop solutions and deliver reports back to the Assembly. 

I am honoured and privileged to be elected for a second term. In term one I played an Integral role in delivering Australia’s First Truth Commission- Yoorrook. In term two I am advocating for having an international twist to Treaty by calling for the formalisation of a Peace Accord and enshrining UNDRIP into Victorian Legislation and the Victorian Constitution. All the while, seeking to ensure grassroots community are the drivers and realise self determination in the Statewide Treaty to achieve economic, social, and cultural equity based on their own cultural values and way of life. 

To achieve this, I continue to lobby for the voice of grassroots community to be heard and be supported to have ownership and responsibility for their own affairs and their own communities, including through designing and delivering policy and services on their own terms and ability to hold their service providers accountable. 

We cannot assume to know what is best for each community, giving voice and allowing community to set agendas. Treaty is the new freedom bus of which community must be the drivers and that is my commitment as a community elected representative for the Northwest Region. 

Inaugural Speech of the Assembly's Second Term