Finding Common Ground
The Comment and Dispute Period for Statewide Treaty is now open
On 17 July 2024, the Treaty Authority entered the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria (Assembly) onto the Negotiations Database as the representative body that will negotiate Statewide Treaty on behalf of all First Peoples.
Under the Treaty Negotiation Framework, the Treaty Authority must oversee a two-month Comment and Dispute Period for Statewide Treaty. The Comment and Dispute Period is an important part of the process for Statewide Treaty, as it allows First Peoples to submit a comment or raise a dispute about whether the Assembly meets the Minimum Standards for entering Treaty negotiations.
The Comment and Dispute Period opened on 17 July 2024 and will close at 5pm on 17 September 2024.
For more information on the Comment and Dispute Period for Statewide Treaty, refer to the Guide for First Peoples: Comment and Dispute Period for Statewide Treaty
To make a comment or raise a dispute, please follow the link below to the online Comment and Dispute form.
Treaty-making is about coming together in good faith to reach agreement.
However, along the way, disagreements may arise, for example, in relation to:
- Entering negotiations (such as meeting the Minimum Standards)
- Entry onto the Negotiations Database
- Forming or changing a Treaty Delegation
- Preparing for and participating in Treaty negotiations.
The Treaty Authority will support parties to find common ground in a safe, inclusive and flexible way, which aims to maintain ongoing and respectful relationships and promote healing.
We also play an important role in respecting and upholding Aboriginal Lore, Law and Cultural Authority during the process.
Where grievances arise, the Treaty Authority initially encourages parties to resolve them together informally and in good faith. Where this isn’t possible:
- We can hold facilitated discussions or yarning circles
- We can help find common ground having regard to the nature of the grievance, what is culturally appropriate and the views of the parties – for example, we can give our opinion, engage an expert or make a recommendation
- As a matter of last resort, we can also make a determination – for example, deciding to amend an entry on the Negotiations Database.