Government bureaucrats, no matter how well-intentioned, don’t know what works and doesn’t work for our communities – we do. If we want to see improvements in health, education and housing for our people, the practical solutions need to come from us. 

As the democratic and representative body, the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria has been made permanent to make sure our communities are properly represented.

Under Treaty, Government must speak with us when making laws, rules or policies about us. Assembly Members will continue to advocate for our needs, hopes and aspirations.

Aboriginal-led organisations are a pillar of strength of our Community. We’ll set up and run a fund to support them to maintain and upgrade their facilities and infrastructure so they can continue to provide quality services to improve outcomes for our communities.

Governments like to make promises, now we will have the power to hold them accountable to these promises and delivering real outcomes for First Peoples. 

We’ll establish Nginma Ngainga Wara to provide independent oversight and accountability for Government on behalf of First Peoples.

Ours is the oldest continuing culture in the world, something that everyone can embrace and take pride in. Through Treaty, we’ll lead the celebrating and sharing of 60,000+ years of culture in Victoria. 

We will have a ceremonial role in State engagements (alongside the Governor, for example). We’ll run the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll to recognise and celebrate First Peoples who have made significant contributions to the community, the Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service to honour First Peoples who served in the defence forces and the Ricci Marks Awards to recognise our young people.

Our people have a history of leaders and trailblazers. We will help the next generation continue that legacy with even more support and facilitation to our future leaders. 

We will work closely with First Peoples-run organisations to build the leadership capabilities for the Treaty era and improve outcomes for our community.

Ours is the oldest continuing culture in the world, something that everyone can embrace and take pride in. Through Treaty, we’ll lead the celebrating and sharing of 60,000+ years of culture in Victoria. 

We will have a ceremonial role in State engagements. We’ll run the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll to recognise and celebrate First Peoples who have made significant contributions to the community, the Victorian Aboriginal Remembrance Service to honour First Peoples who served in the defence forces and the Ricci Marks Awards to recognise our young people.

Through Truth-telling, Yoorrook began a process of healing and created a public record of our true history.

Nyerna Yoorrook Telkuna, meaning to sit, to listen, to hear, to remember in Wamba Wamba/Wemba Wemba, will continue the Truth-telling and healing process so everyone across the state can understand our shared past.

For generations, many Victorians were not given the ability to access or reckon with our past, but now the Victorian school curriculum will help future generations understand our history and why we need Treaty. This is a chance for all Victorians to acknowledge our past, heal and move forward together.

Every mountain, river and beach across this beautiful land has had a First Peoples’ place name for thousands of years. To help celebrate this rich history and to share our languages, we will play a greater role, alongside Traditional Owners, in restoring more place names to their First Peoples’ name, including State and National Parks and some water-ways and waterfalls. 

Names are more than just words, they tell the story of the lands and our peoples and educate the public about its history.

Traditional Owners across the state can come forward to negotiate their own Traditional Owner Treaties that cover their Communities and Country and reflect their local priorities. Those negotiations will unfold over the coming years at different paces as it’s not a case of one-size-fits-all.