Wamba Wamba, Yorta Yorta, Dhudhuroa and Dja Dja Wurrung woman and Assembly Co-chair, Ngarra Murray, said she was confident Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria would unite behind the four pillars of the ‘negotiating brief’ the Members are developing.
“When it comes to Aboriginal communities, Aboriginal people are the experts. So, our whole approach is underpinned by the belief that decisions about Aboriginal people – our communities, our cultures, our sacred sites and lands – should be made by Aboriginal people,” said Ms Murray.
Although the key focus of the upcoming negotiations are firming up, the Assembly Members are continuing to gather input and feedback from their communities. The four key ideas that will likely be the focus of the first round of negotiations with the Government are:
- A process and timetable for transferring decision-making powers from Government to First Peoples.
- How key recommendations from the Yoorrook Justice Commission’s truth-telling process should be implemented.
- Expanding the Assembly’s roles and responsibilities so it can also provide advice to government and ensure accountability, in addition to exercising decision-making powers.
- Ways to properly respect and celebrate First Peoples’ cultures and languages.
Gunditjmara man and Assembly Co-chair, Rueben Berg, said Assembly Members wanted to put a little more ‘meat on the bones’ ahead of the large “Statewide Gathering” of the clans scheduled for 6 April in Geelong.
“We’ve got some important conversations on the agenda this week. We’re looking forward to having a yarn with the independent Treaty Umpires for example. They’ll be presenting at the meeting. And of course the discussions about how we as nations organise ourselves are always really important,” said Mr Berg.
The meeting’s agenda includes an update about the appointment of the Elders Voice, an application for a new seat on the Assembly, an introduction to the Treaty Authority Members, discussions on priorities and strategies, as well as future roles and responsibilities for the Assembly, an update about the Youth Voice, Member report backs and operational updates.
This week’s Assembly Meeting is expected to be the second last before the negotiations about a statewide Treaty formally begin.
