18/07/2016 – The Andrews Labor Government’s commitment to advancing self-determination for Aboriginal Victorians has taken another step forward with the commencement of the Treaty Interim Working Group.
This creation of the group was an outcome of the recent regional and state-wide forums focused on self-determination.
This group will provide advice on the process and timing for treaty, guidance on community engagement and examining options for a permanent Victorian Aboriginal representative body.
The Treaty Interim Working Group will comprise:
- Mick Harding and Tim Chatfield nominated by the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Council;
- Lidia Thorpe and Gary Murray nominated by The Victorian Traditional Owners Land Justice Group;
- Janine Coombs and Jeremy Clark nominated by the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations;
- Tarneen Onus-Williams and Douglas Briggs nominated by The Koorie Youth Council.
- Muriel Bamblett and Wayne Muir nominated by the Aboriginal Controlled Community Organisation representatives
They will be joined by six people appointed by the Minister based on their personal experience and expertise:
- Paul Briggs
- Jill Gallagher
- Vickie Clarke
- Aunty
Di Kerr
- Lawrence Moser
- Geraldine Atkinson
The next state-wide forum will be held in Melbourne in early December for Aboriginal Victorians to discuss the Group’s work and the next steps for the Victorian Government.
More than 400 people attended the state-wide forum held during May with hundreds more attending forums across regional Victoria. For more information visit:consult.aboriginalvictoria.vic.gov.au
Quotes attributable to Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Natalie Hutchins
“For the first time in over 20 years work is underway to build on the existing relationship between government and the Aboriginal community to empower that community to achieve long-term generational change.”
“We understand that it’s not for us to decide what treaty or self-determination
should look like. We know that action needs to come from the Victorian Aboriginal community”
