This is Treaty
We believe it’s time to negotiate Treaties between our people and the Government of Victoria and we’re establishing the foundations to enable that.
Treaty is our opportunity to make sure we always have the freedom and power to make the decisions that affect our communities, our culture and our Country.
Nothing is off the table, so we need to think big and push hard.
Here are some of the key concepts being discussed.
More than one treaty
The Assembly will be pushing for a state-wide Treaty that will cover state-wide matters, and will also empower the diverse Traditional Owner groups in Victoria to negotiate Treaties that reflect their specific aspirations and priorities.
A meaningful voice and representation
The Assembly will push for better representation and political power for First Peoples. The ideas we’re discussing include having a number of seats in the Victorian Parliament that members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community vote for, and establishing a permanent representative body with meaningful decision-making powers – a “Blak Parliament” of sorts.
New institutions grounded in our culture
To achieve these things, an initial step the Assembly has negotiated is for the Government to give up some of its power by agreeing to establish an independent Treaty Authority that sits outside of the usual government bureaucracy. This body would be grounded in our culture, lore and law, and will facilitate negotiations and help resolve any disputes that arise.
Economic independence
As part of the journey to Treaty, we want to develop a Self-Determination Fund that can help us build wealth for future generations and also make sure Traditional Owners are ready to enter Treaty negotiations with the Government on a more equal playing field.
What are the next steps?
The Treaty Negotiation Framework
These are just some of the key concepts being incorporated into the ‘Treaty Negotiation Framework’ that the Assembly is currently negotiating with the Victorian Government. The Framework will set out the ground-rules and scope for future Treaty making and the aim is to have in completed by the end of 2022.
After the Treaty Negotiation Framework has been agreed on, the Assembly will hold its next election in 2023 so Mob can choose the next set of elected Members who will be responsible for negotiating the state-wide Treaty.
Download our Info Kit for more information about the Treaty Negotiation Framework
Hey Mob! It's time to get involved
We’ve got a bold and positive agenda, but self-determination isn’t just the destination – it’s also how we get there! That’s why we need Mob to get involved, have a say and show support for Treaty by enrolling with us.