I am pleased to present my response to the Review’s recommendations for reform, all of which I support in full. The Review's recommendations outline critical reforms to how Ebenezer Mission Cemetery, Ramahyuck Mission Cemetery and Coranderrk Mission Cemetery are managed and seek to enable greater self-determination for titleholders and Traditional Owners, now and into the future.
I am committed to amending the Act to support titleholders and Traditional Owners to achieve their aspirations for their respective sites. More broadly, the Victorian Government is aware that it is only through self-determination that true progress can be made. This is why the Victorian Government has committed to actioning all elements of the Uluṟu Statement from the Heart: Truth, Treaty, Voice.
Victoria's treaty process will provide a framework for the transfer of decision-making power and resources to support self-determining Aboriginal communities to take control of matters that affect their lives. The Victorian Government commits to working proactively to support the aspirations of Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians.
I sincerely thank all Aboriginal Elders, Stolen Generations members and families who are part of the titleholder and Traditional Owner communities for their invaluable contributions and for sharing their lived experiences and knowledge. These contributions have been instrumental in the development of the Review's recommendations and will benefit many generations to come.
Natalie Hutchins MP
Minister for Treaty and First Peoples
Minister for Jobs and Industry
Minister for Women
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