About the Negotiations Register

What is the Negotiations Register?

The Negotiations Register, called the Negotiations Database in the Treaty Negotiation Framework, holds information about Treaty negotiations in Victoria. It is managed by the Treaty Authority.

Key information on the Negotiations Register is publicly available, such as the groups entered onto the Negotiations Register, who is negotiating a Treaty, the Country negotiations cover and the status of negotiations. You can access the Negotiations Register information by exploring the interactive map here.

What are the different types of Treaties?

There are two types of Treaties that can be negotiated in Victoria:

• A Statewide Treaty that will be negotiated by the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria on behalf of all mob in Victoria.
• Local Traditional Owner Treaties that can be negotiated by Traditional Owners about their aspirations for their Country, including their lands and waters.

Who can be entered onto the Negotiations Register?

Any group or entity that is eligible to participate in the Treaty process can register to be entered onto the Negotiations Register. These include:

• The First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria as the body that represents First Peoples for Statewide Treaty
• Traditional Owner groups
• State of Victoria
• Additional Negotiating Parties ie any other entities or individuals invited by the Primary Negotiating Parties to participate.

Eligible groups can ask to be a part of the Treaty process by expressing interest to be entered onto the Negotiations Register. For more information on the process to be entered onto the Negotiations Register, please see the information on the Traditional Owner Treaty process.

How will the Treaty Authority support groups to find common ground (resolve disputes)?

The Treaty Authority can help to resolve disputes that arise in Treaty negotiations or are connected to Treaty negotiations.

You can find more about the process in the Guide for First Peoples: Finding Common Ground [coming soon] or by reaching out to the Treaty Authority for a yarn on 1300 133 033.

How is the Treaty Authority safeguarding information and data in the Negotiations Register?

The Negotiations Register is a secure storage system, managed by the Treaty Authority.

The Treaty Authority complies with all applicable laws relating to the collection and storage of third party information, including privacy laws. The Treaty Authority will seek prior and informed consent before collecting information.

In relation to First Peoples’ information and data, the Treaty Authority upholds and respects Indigenous Data Sovereignty and Governance principles to the extent possible, having regard to applicable laws.

We are applying Indigenous Data Governance principles to how we collect, store and manage information that First Peoples provide to the Treaty Authority.

First Peoples who provide their data to the Treaty Authority will continue to own and control their data. We respect First Peoples’ decisions about how their data, such as sacred cultural knowledge, is protected.

Access the Negotiations Register Portal

The Negotiations Register Portal (NRP) is the Treaty Authority’s online portal for Traditional Owners, the State and other parties participating in Treaty negotiations.

Traditional Owners can use the portal to complete and submit forms and information required throughout the Treaty negotiation process.