Australia’s first treaty laws have been introduced into the Victorian Parliament.
Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Natalie Hutchins today joined members of the Aboriginal Treaty Working Group, who are also Victorian Traditional Owners, and the Victorian Treaty Advancement Commissioner on the floor of Parliament to speak to the Advancing the Treaty Process with Aboriginal Victorians Bill 2018.
The historic legislation will see the Victorian Government and the state’s Aboriginal people enter into formal treaty negotiations – the first state in the country to do so.
“This legislation is another step toward a treaty that delivers substantive changes on the ground for Aboriginal Victorians," said Victorian Treaty Advancement Commissioner Jill Gallagher AO.
“Treaty will enable all of the Victorian community to celebrate the oldest living cultures in the world," she said.
Treaty is an opportunity for Victoria to recognise and celebrate the unique status, rights, cultures and histories of Aboriginal Victorians. It is also an opportunity for reconciliation and to heal the wounds of the past.