Victorian treaty talks to begin in 2023
Victorian treaty talks will begin in 2023 after a deal was struck between an elected Indigenous body and the state government.
The landmark agreement, to be signed in an official ceremony in Melbourne on Thursday, sets out the rules and guiding principles for treaty negotiations.
A statewide treaty will be negotiated with the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, while traditional owner groups will also be able to pursue individual treaties for their land.
The state government has set aside $65 million over three years for a self-determination fund to help traditional owners prepare for the talks.
Under the framework, only a single Indigenous delegation can be formed to negotiate a treaty for a particular area with the Victorian government, which means some traditional owner groups will need to combine to form delegations.
Assembly co-chair Marcus Stewart said the agreement would help ensure Indigenous people had the power to make decisions impacting them.
"This agreement puts the power back into Aboriginal hands so that we can decide how we want to do things and how to get treaty done," he said.
Talks on a statewide treaty will get under way after an election to select representatives for the assembly next year.
The Victorian state budget in May included $151.4 million to advance the treaty process, with another $60.5 million to set up an independent treaty authority as part of legislation passed in August.
Victoria has enacted the truth and treaty elements of the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart.
The state's truth-telling inquiry, the Yoorrook Justice Commission, began holding public hearings in April.
In July, it requested the government extend the due date for its final report from 2024 to 2026 and sign off on additional resources as it works to establish a public record of Indigenous experiences since colonisation.
Other states and territories, including Queensland, Tasmania and South Australia, have taken initial steps towards treaties with Indigenous people.
