Victorian First Peoples’ Assembly wants decision powers within four years

Shifting the power to make decisions affecting Indigenous Victorians on issues such as land use or child protection from the state government within the next four years is a key goal for the newly elected First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria.

The assembly, which is the elected “voice” for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria, began its second term on Wednesday. Its 32 members will negotiate a statewide treaty with the Victorian government.

The First Peoples Assembly of Victoria met for the first time following the historic treaty elections at Parliament House.Credit: Justin McManus

Newly elected co-chair Rueben Berg said it would enter negotiations with the state government and aim to deliver “decision-making powers” to traditional owner groups within this four-year term as part of a broader treaty process.

Outside the chamber, Berg told this masthead that the assembly’s first sitting marked the beginning of the next phase of the treaty process.

“The first phase was putting in the processes, and now we’re at the point where we can actually use those processes to get treaty outcomes in this state,” he said. “It is absolutely going to be a busy term for ourselves as members, and our community.”

Berg said the assembly would deliver some treaty outcomes over the four-year term, but there was “no finish line” for a comprehensive statewide treaty. Negotiations would be an ongoing process for future iterations of the assembly, he said.

“By the end of this term there will be some transferal of decision-making powers over to the assembly, but there’ll still be ongoing negotiations that need to happen about additional roles, and additional powers as we move forward.”

Berg, a Gunditjmara man, was elected co-chair alongside Wamba Wamba, Yorta Yorta, Dhudhuroa and Dja Dja Wurrung woman Ngarra Murray during the assembly’s first sitting on Wednesday in the legislative chamber of Victorian Parliament.

Murray has led Oxfam Australia’s First Peoples programs for the last decade, while Berg was previously a commissioner for the Victorian Environment Water Holder and a member of the Heritage Council of Victoria.

“History shows that real change comes from the people. Whether we’re realising our rights, fighting racism, or standing up for our Country, it is everyday people who are the original drivers of change. People like us,” Murray said.

The newly elected co-chairs of the First Peoples Assembly Gunditjmara man Rueben Berg and Wamba Wamba, Yorta Yorta, Dhudhuuroa and Dja Dja Wurrung woman Ngarra Murray.Credit: Justin McManus

“We must make sure that treaty respects our rights, dignity, and sovereignty as First Peoples, and leads to a healed and healthy country for all of us.”

Earlier, after the assembly had gathered in the chamber, former co-chair and Bangerang and Wiradjuri woman Aunty Geraldine Atkinson encouraged the newly elected members to make the most of the opportunity to serve on the assembly and to “do all mob proud”.

“What you do with the next four years is going to shape the future of First Peoples here for generations to come,” Atkinson said. “Remember you’re here to get treaty done.”

The new assembly will progress the treaty process after the “building blocks” were established by the first assembly of its four-year term during the COVID pandemic.

First Peoples Assembly of Victoria members pass through smoke next to the Sir Doug and Lady Gladys Nicholls statue.Credit: Justin McManus

That architecture included the Self-Determination Fund, which was designed to empower traditional owners to negotiate on “a more equal footing” with the state, and the independent Treaty Authority, which will serve as the trusted umpire to help resolve disputes during the treaty process.

The day began with a welcome ceremony in Parliament Gardens in front of the memorial statue of Sir Douglas and Lady Gladys Nicholls, who were prominent community leaders who progressed the rights and aspirations of the First People’s community across Victoria.

Members moved to the front steps of Parliament for a group photograph before entering the building, occupying its upper house and readying themselves to deliver their first speeches.

The chamber meeting was initially chaired by outgoing co-chairs Atkinson and Nira illim bulluk man of the Taungurung Nation, Marcus Stewart. Both Atkinson and Stewart formally stood down from their roles ahead of co-chair elections on Wednesday afternoon.

Before stepping down, Stewart said members should embrace the day ahead: “Today is about a celebration before your work begins tomorrow.”

Stewart thanked former treaty commissioner Jill Gallagher for her contributions in getting the treaty process underway. He also acknowledged the significance of the ongoing work of the commissioners of the Yoorrook truth and justice royal commission who sat in the chamber as guests of the assembly.

“The treaty must be done on our terms. We have started to put decision-making power back into Aboriginal hands, and it is only the beginning,” Stewart said.

Stewart urged members to find common ground on issues that would come before the assembly and to work in unity towards the common goal of treaty. “Voice, treaty and truth are all steps that will benefit the entire community,” he said.

Induction of the newly elected First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria.Credit: Justin McManus

In delivering their individual first speeches, each assembly member thanked elders, community and voters. Each expressed their commitment to delivering self-determination to First Peoples.

Gunditjmara and Bundjalung woman Tracy Evans, a representative of the metropolitan area, said the work ahead was “bigger than all of us on the assembly”.

“It’s about the people out there, our people, that are counting on us to do right things. ... I just can’t allow another child to be removed from my family, or other families. Or another family member to be locked up, or to die in a local prison cell.”

First time assembly member Gary Murray, a respected elder across numerous First Nations groups in Victoria, used his speech to address the loss of traditional customs and languages through prolonged, violent practices of dispossession and dispersal perpetrated by European settlers, before saying the assembly would deliver self-determination and decision-making powers.

“The Productivity Commission released a report yesterday slamming the failure to close the gap, again. But they also said the answer to a lot of that is truth and self-determination. So, Victoria is in the box seat ... we’re on the right track. And this group will make sure that we stay on track,” Murray said.

Paying tribute to the advocacy and activism of past generations of First Peoples, Bangerang, Taungurung and Wiradjuri woman Aunty Esme Bamblett said the second assembly was looking seven generations ahead when it came to thinking about the right to self-determination gained from a statewide treaty.

“We been pushed up, we’ve been pulled up, and we’ve been helped up. Now we’re flying. We’re eagles. We’re not on the ground, we’re not chickens ... scrounging around,” she said.

Get the day’s breaking news, entertainment ideas and a long read to enjoy. Sign up to receive our Evening Edition newsletter here.