PUBLIC NOTICE:
The Treaty Authority gives notice, in accordance with clause 21.4(b) of the Treaty Negotiation Framework, that the State of Victoria has been entered onto the Negotiations Database for Statewide Treaty Negotiations.
Date: 21 November 2024
ENTRY OF THE STATE OF VICTORIA ONTO THE NEGOTIATIONS DATABASE FOR STATEWIDE TREATY NEGOTIATIONS
Statewide Treaty will be negotiated between the State of Victoria (State) and the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria (Assembly).
For Statewide Treaty negotiations to commence, the State must be entered onto the Negotiations Database. To be entered onto the Negotiations Database, the State must comply with the Minimum Standards provided at clause 20.2 of the Treaty Negotiation Framework and sufficiently progressed its fulfilment of the Additional Preparations provided at clause 20.3 of the Treaty Negotiation Framework.
On 23 October 2024, the State notified the Treaty Authority of its compliance with the Minimum Standards and fulfilment of the Additional Preparations (State’s Notification). The State’s Notification includes information about how it meets the Minimum Standards and has fulfilled the Additional Preparations relating to Land and Waters, Community, Leadership and Inclusivity. The State’s Notification is available here.
The Treaty Authority’s assessment process was guided by the Members’ cultural knowledge. This assessment included:
- Provision of early guidance to the State
- Rigorous assessment of the State’s Notification and materials available
- Extensive engagement with the State.
The Treaty Authority has assessed the State’s Notification and has determined that the State has complied with the Minimum Standards and has sufficiently progressed towards fulfilment of the Additional Preparations. Accordingly, in accordance with clause 21.4(a) of the Treaty Negotiation Framework, the Treaty Authority entered the State onto the Negotiations Database on 20 November 2024.
COMMENCEMENT OF STATEWIDE TREATY NEGOTIATIONS
The following steps were taken for Statewide Treaty negotiations to commence:
- 17 July: the Assembly was entered onto the Negotiations Database as the First Peoples’ Representative Body for Statewide Treaty.
- 8 October: the Assembly notified the Treaty Authority that it wished to invite the State to begin Treaty negotiations.
- 11 October: the Treaty Authority issued an invitation to the State.
- 23 October: the Treaty Authority received the State’s acceptance of the invitation to begin Treaty negotiations, together with the State’s Notification.
With the entry of the State onto the Negotiations Database, negotiations for a Statewide Treaty between the State and the Assembly have now begun (clause 21.4(c), Treaty Negotiation Framework). The next step is for the Assembly and the State to agree Negotiations Protocols.
The Treaty Authority will continue to share information about the progress of the Statewide Treaty as negotiations progress.
CONTACT US
For more information about the Statewide Treaty, please visit our website: treatyauthority.au.
If you have any questions, please contact the Treaty Authority on 1300 133 033 or email us at [email protected].