The Review recommendations seek to strengthen governance, facilitate economic activity and enable greater self-determination for the Trust Communities, now and into the future.
The Victorian Government is committed to amending the Aboriginal Lands Act 1970 (the Act) and will continue to engage with the Trust Communities to implement the Review recommendations. This includes delivering a series of workshops to ensure any amendments to the Act, including the implementation of non-legislative reform, continue to align with the aspirations of the Trust Communities.
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 Uluru 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 has committed to working proactively to support and negotiate Treaty, in line with the aspirations of Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians.
I sincerely thank all shareholders, residents, Aboriginal Elders, Stolen Generations members and families who are part of the Trust Communities for their invaluable contributions and for sharing their knowledge and lived experiences. These contributions have been instrumental in the development of the Review recommendations and will benefit many generations to come.
Gabrielle Williams MP
Minister for Treaty and First Peoples
Minister for Ambulance Services
Minister for Mental Health
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