An Indigenous organization has declared itself ‘ready’ to negotiate a treaty with a state government, despite Australians overwhelmingly voting no to the Voice referendum, which stalled a similar process at the national level.
In its annual report, Victoria’s First People’s Assembly, made up of 33 elected Indigenous representatives, said “We are ready to negotiate a treaty next month” with the Victorian state government.
In addition to a state-wide treaty, there will be separate traditional owner treaties in regions across Victoria to ensure ‘local knowledge can influence decision-making at community level’.
While the Assembly said no negotiating brief had yet been finalized and the powers of Aboriginal groups had not yet been announced, it made clear that it expects it to have substantial decision-making functions.
“We want a process and timeline to give the Assembly real decision-making powers on First Nations affairs,” the report said.
“It will be the mafia that makes decisions about the mafia.”
In addition, the Assembly will assert an advisory role to the government on policies that go beyond those primarily affecting Aboriginal people.
“Where decisions are not primarily about the mafia, but still impact us, we want the Assembly to be able to ensure that Victorian Government and Public Service Ministers receive direct advice from First Peoples,” it said report.
An annual report from Victoria’s First People’s Assembly says the Indigenous body is ready to negotiate a treaty with the Victorian government
Members of the First Assembly of Victoria, Rueben Berg (right) and Aunt Esme Bamblett
The Assembly will also seek ‘the power to hold the Victorian Government to account on its promises and the ability to scrutinize policies, practices and services to ensure they are in order and make the mafia happen’.
A treaty should also set out how and when the recommendations of the ‘truth-telling’ Yoorrook Justice Commission will be implemented.
Modeled on the ‘Truth and Reconciliation’ hearings in post-apartheid South Africa, Yoorrook has the same powers as a royal commission and can subpoena documents and summon witnesses.
Although it does not exercise judicial power, it can refer information about alleged crimes to law enforcement authorities.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allen gave public testimony to the Commission in April.
“The Prime Minister shared her thoughts on how the state’s history had purposefully excluded the ‘bloody stains of colonization’ for too long,” the General Assembly report said.
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan says her government is fully committed to implementing a treaty
“She also reaffirmed the government’s ‘unequivocal’ support for the Treaty.”
But the secrecy of the event alarmed Shadow Indigenous Affairs Minister Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, who said it was “very concerning”.
“You can’t suggest that this sort of shady happening behind closed doors and this failure to provide transparency is actually going to be a real, democratic process moving towards legislation in this process,” Senator Price told Sky. News political commentator Peta Credlin.
The First Assembly of Victoria consists of 33 elected representatives from across the state
Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price (pictured) described the behavior of the First People’s Assembly in Victoria during a treaty discussion as ‘very worrying’
“But you know, we all know that Mr. Albanese is sitting in the background waiting for all these states to do their treaty procedures and then ram them through.
“Australians should be very concerned. This is going to affect us all.”
Assembly co-chair Ngarra Murray previously said feedback would continue to be gathered from traditional owner groups and Aboriginal community organizations on what should be in the treaty.
“We’re really excited to bring all their ambitions, all their hopes and dreams to this moment,” Ms Murray said.
The proposed Indigenous Voice to Parliament, which according to the Uluru Statement from the Heart blueprint was a step towards a Treaty at national level, was convincingly rejected in last year’s referendum.
Despite support from the federal government, the Yes vote failed to reach any state, including Victoria, and was rejected by 62 percent of voters nationally.
