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Treaty forum, 28 April 2017

The Victorian Treaty forum was held by the former Aboriginal Victoria in Melbourne on Friday 28 April 2017.

The purpose of the forum was to:

  • outline the treaty journey so far
  • present the outcomes of the March consultations, Treaty Circles and Online Message Stick
  • advise on the next steps in the treaty process

The forum was an example of democracy in action, with different community views expressed and taken into consideration by the State and Aboriginal Treaty Interim Working Group.

At the forum, the outcomes from treaty community consultations held up until April 2017 were also presented.

Based on community consultation, it was found that a representative body needs to be:

  • democratic
  • independent from government
  • able to authorise treaty or treaties

These outcomes were compiled into reports, copies of which were available in hardcopy for those in attendance. The reports include a summary of consultations to date and detailed analysis of design considerations for the Aboriginal Representative Body.

At the forum, the then Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, the Hon Natalie Hutchins MP, announced that the 2017-18 Victorian State Budget would provide $28.5 million to support the treaty process over the next four years. Overall, $68.2 million over four years was allocated in the 2017-18 State Budget to support Aboriginal self-determination.

Find the online summary of the report:

Aboriginal community consultations on the design of a representative body

Watch the video from the Treaty forum

  • Illustration which includes phrases: Our diversity is our strength, self determination is an ongoing commitment, we will put the unity back into community, the government is committed
  • Illustration with phrases: A representative body, helping build the working group, the Treaty should be led by Victoria's Aboriginal community and embraced by all Victorians
  • Illustration: We looked at many models for legal structure, gives you, the community, the greatest say and is based on the criteria the community has given us, we want to see the data, we will get nowhere without trust
  • Illustration which includes phrases: government structures have failed us in the past, how can we trust the government now?, all communities must be involved, self determination, the enormous weight of expectation
  • Illustration which includes phrases: the future is whatever you make of it, the government has opened the door, it's up to us to walk through it

  • About the Treaty Forum - 28 April 2017

  • Listening to the voices of our communities - Victorian Treaty forum

  • Where are we up to: Treaty forum

  • Where are we going - Treaty forum

  • The future of Treaty

Updated

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