The Treaty process in Victoria is still being established. The Advancing the Treaty Process with Aboriginal Victorians Act 2018 is Australia’s first-ever treaty legislation. In 2019, elections to the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria (the Assembly) will take place. The Assembly will be the voice for the Aboriginal community in the next phase of Treaty and will work with the State to prepare for Treaty negotiations, including establishing a Treaty Authority, a negotiation framework and a self-determination fund. The Assembly will be made up of Traditional Owners, elected by Aboriginal people in Victoria and Victorian Traditional Owners living outside the state. Each formally recognised Traditional Owner group will be entitled to a reserved seat on the Assembly. If a group achieves formal recognition later, they will also receive a reserved seat.
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