The Treaty Advancement Commissioner, Jill Gallagher is welcoming funding for the Victorian Treaty process in today’s Victorian budget.
The government has announced that the budget includes:
- $11 million over 2 years for the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, and
- $13.5 million over 2 years to support Victorian Traditional Owners to build capacity in the lead up to Treaty negotiations in the years to come.
This builds on funding through the Traditional Owner Self-Determination Scheme, which is designed for groups which are not engaged with, or in the early phases of engagement with, formal recognition processes.
Funding will go to the Assembly once it is set up. This is expected to be in October this year.
“This is important news for the Treaty process,” said Treaty Advancement Commissioner, Jill Gallagher.
“It is fitting that our community can have certainty that the Assembly is funded to do its job,” she said.
“Aboriginal communities are preparing for a vote to elect the Assembly. Today, candidate nominations open,” she said.
“Over the next 2 years, the Assembly will be in an increasingly strong position to achieve long-term financial security for the Treaty process,” said Ms Gallagher.
Aboriginal communities can enrol to vote in the Assembly election via www.firstpeoplesvic.org