What the landmark Yoorrook findings mean for Victorian farmers

The Yoorrook Justice Commission’s report has delivered 100 recommendations to the state government, including a dozen which could affect Victorian farmers.

Yoorrook Commissioners (left to right): Kevin Bell, Maggie Walter, Chair Eleanor Bourke, Wayne Atkinson and Sue-Anne Hunter have demanded urgent action on treaty, land and water reforms.

The Yoorrook Justice Commission has called for more money, land and water, in its final report to the Allan Government.

After four years’ of hearings the Commission’s 39 chapter transformation report makes 100 recommendations, which chair Eleanor Bourke says need “to be advanced through the treaty process and others through urgent actions and reforms that should begin now”.

But while the government has responded by promising to deliver treaty legislation before the end of the year, the Victorian Farmers Federation has called for a seat at the table.

“The government needs to engage with those of us who occupy the land and use the water to produce the food and fibre, on which we all rely,” VFF president Brett Hosking said.

Many of the commission’s demands are set to fire up farmers and rural communities, given they state the Victorian Government must:

ESTABLISH a default mechanism to transfer to traditional owners entitlements to land, waters, resources on the sale, surrender or expiration of third party leasehold, licences, entitlements and other interests.

ESTABLISH and implement mechanisms for hypothecation of a proportion of water revenues (surface and groundwater) collected in the State of Victoria to be placed into the Self-Determination Fund.

ENABLE First Peoples to assume ‘waterway manager’ responsibilities within the meaning of the Water Act 1989.

ESTABLISH ongoing funding for Traditional Owner groups to purchase on the open market privately held land of cultural significance or which would support traditional owners’ community objectives.

BE exempt from paying taxes, rates and charges in the case of lands, waters and natural resources.

NOT granting new rights or entitlements in Crown lands, waters and resources without providing opportunities for traditional owners to themselves acquire the relevant interest, or benefit from the revenues generated.

ENSURING traditional owners have the opportunity to participate in the State’s ‘right of first refusal’ processes when the State is proposing to sell or repurpose Crown or Government-owned land.

ENACTING reforms enabling First Peoples to commercially use and develop their lands, waters and resources.

REVERSE the burden of proof for connection to Country so that the state is required to disprove an asserted connection, rather than traditional owners prove connection.

REINSTATE Indigenous place names across Victoria, initially prioritising prominent public spaces and significant parks, reserves and waterways, and road names and ensure these place names are reflected on relevant maps, signs and official documents.

RETURN land acquired for little or no consideration, or reserved by the Crown or Governor for Church purposes, to traditional owners of that land.

PROVIDE additional funding and support for the Self-Determination Fund and the Treaty Authority to deliver processes for determining the right people for Country.