00:00Victoria's Aboriginal community is facing a once-in-a-generation shot at change.
00:08Decisions about First Peoples in the hands of First Peoples, and that's really the crux
00:12of it.
00:13For years, Victoria has been preparing for treaties, agreements the Alan Labor government
00:18and many Indigenous Victorians hope will help right wrongs of the past.
00:23Victoria's colonisation tore Aboriginal languages, cultures and communities apart.
00:28Through treaty, Indigenous groups want to take control of their own healing.
00:34High on the list is Aboriginal communities being able to make more decisions on specific
00:38funding and policies that affect them, instead of the Minister for First Peoples.
00:43We're very, very mindful that if we have an enhanced role that there needs to be enhanced
00:47scrutiny to make sure that we are doing the things that we intend to be doing.
00:51Other ideas the Assembly plans to raise in negotiations include the wider use of Aboriginal
00:56languages in place names and schools, and earlier access to seniors cards for elders
01:02who face a shorter average life expectancy than non-Indigenous Australians.
01:07There's also the suggestion of a new public holiday in Victoria, which could mark the
01:11day a treaty is signed.
01:14Treaty's not just about our people, it's about all peoples that live here on our country.
01:18The Assembly and government expect there'll be several treaty agreements, including local
01:23ones to address the needs of different nation groups.
01:26But nothing about Victoria's path to treaty is guaranteed.
01:30In the wake of the failed voice referendum, the state opposition withdrew its support
01:34for the process, and Victorians will head to the polls in 2026.
01:39I've made our position on treaty clear that we won't be supporting that because we have
01:43a different approach that focuses on practical reconciliation.
01:46Proper self-determination is identified internationally as a right for First Peoples, and we through
01:53the treaty process have an opportunity to change.
01:57Negotiations are due to begin before the end of the year.
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