First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria
The First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria[1] is an independent and democratically elected body representing Traditional Owners and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Victoria, Australia. The Assembly is responsible for establishing the framework and ground rules to enable Traditional Owners to negotiate Treaties[2] with the Victorian Government.[3] Negotiations for the Statewide Treaty are currently underway.
Membership
[edit]The Assembly comprises 33 Members[4] chosen by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities throughout Victoria. The inaugural election was held in October 2019.[5] Elections are held every four years. The Assembly includes both general seats, filled by Members elected by communities in specific regions, and reserved seats for representatives from particular Traditional Owner groups. Any Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person who has lived in Victoria for at least three of the last five years is eligible to enroll with the Assembly.[6]
Functions
[edit]The Assembly's primary function is to represent Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Treaty negotiations with the Victorian Government.[7] The Assembly negotiated the creation of the Yoorrook Justice Commission,[8] an independent and formal truth-telling process into historical and ongoing injustices experienced by First Peoples in Victoria.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ "TREATY FOR VICTORIA | First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria". First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria.
- ^ Ore, Adeshola (2022-10-19). "Historic deal struck to begin Victorian treaty negotiations with First Nations groups". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
- ^ a b "Pathway to Treaty". www.firstpeoplesrelations.vic.gov.au. 2025-02-27. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
- ^ "First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria | TREATY FOR VICTORIA". First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
- ^ Allam, Lorena (2019-04-11). "Victoria a step closer to Indigenous treaty with creation of First Peoples' Assembly". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
- ^ "Establishing a representative body for Aboriginal Victorians". www.firstpeoplesrelations.vic.gov.au. 2020-10-05. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
- ^ "Treaty for Victoria". www.firstpeoplesrelations.vic.gov.au. 2025-01-17. Retrieved 2025-03-03.
- ^ "Victorian Government Implementation Progress Report: Yoorrook for Justice - October 2024". www.firstpeoplesrelations.vic.gov.au. 2025-01-14. Retrieved 2025-03-03.