An indigenous body has declared itself “ready” to negotiate a treaty with a state government, despite the overwhelming majority of Australians voting no to the Voice referendum, which has stalled a similar process nationally.
In its annual report, the First People's Assembly in Victoria, which is made up of 33 elected Indigenous representatives, declared “We are ready to negotiate the Treaty” with the Victorian state government next month.
In addition to a state-level Treaty, there will be separate Traditional Owner Treaties in regions across Victoria to ensure “local knowledge can inform community-level decision-making”.
While the Assembly said a summary of negotiations had not been finalized nor that the powers of Aboriginal groups had been revealed, it made clear that it expected to have substantial decision-making roles.
“We want a process and a timeline to give the Assembly real decision-making powers on First Peoples issues,” the report states.
'It will be a mob making decisions about the mob.'
Furthermore, the Assembly will require a consultative role to the government on policies that go beyond those that primarily concern Aboriginal people.
“When decisions are not primarily about the mob but still impact us, we want the Assembly to be able to ensure that Victorian government ministers and the public service get advice directly from First Peoples,” the report states.
An annual report from the First People's Assembly in Victoria says the indigenous body is ready to negotiate the Treaty with the Victorian government
Members of the First People's Assembly of Victoria, Rueben Berg (right) and aunt Esme Bamblett
The Assembly will also seek “the power to hold the Victorian Government accountable to its promises and the ability to scrutinize policies, practices and services to ensure they measure up and measure up to the masses”.
A Treaty should also define how and when the recommendations of the “truth-telling” Yoorrook Justice Commission will be implemented.
Modeled after South Africa's post-apartheid “Truth and Reconciliation” hearings, Yoorrook has the same powers as a royal commission and can subpoena documents and call witnesses.
Although it does not exercise judicial power, it can forward 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 reflections on how the state’s history deliberately excluded the ‘blood stains of colonization’ for too long,” the Assembly report stated.
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 Indigenous Affairs Minister Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, who said it was “deeply concerning”.
“You can't suggest that with this kind of shady event behind closed doors and this inability to provide transparency that this is actually going to be a true and democratic process, which leads to legislation in this process,” Senator Price told Sky's political commentator news Peta Credlin.
The First People's Assembly in Victoria is made up of 33 elected representatives from across the state
Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price (pictured) described the behavior of Victoria's First People's Assembly at a treaty discussion event as 'deeply concerning'
'But you know, we all know, that Mr Albanese is sitting on the sidelines, waiting for all these states to conduct their treaty processes and then move them forward.
'Australians should be very worried. This will affect each one of us.”
Assembly co-chair Ngarra Murray previously said there would continue to be gathering feedback from traditional owner groups and Aboriginal community organizations about what should be in the treaty.
“We are so excited to bring all of your aspirations and all of your hopes and dreams to this moment,” Murray said.
The Indigenous Voice to Parliament proposal, which was a step towards the Treaty at national level along the model of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, was defeated in last year's referendum.
Despite being supported by the federal government, the Yes vote failed to win any states, including Victoria, and was rejected by 62 percent of voters nationally.
