A TREATY between Aboriginal people and European settlers might be a long way off, but the first steps are being taken in Ballarat today.
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The city will be the host for one of the first community gatherings for newly-created Treaty Advancement Commission which has been formed after treaty legislation passed through the lower house of state parliament recently.
Today will see two gatherings in Ballarat which will be open to both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal residents who wish to ask Treaty Advancement Commissioner Jill Gallagher about what needs to be involved when a treaty is formed.
Ms Gallagher said the commission is setting up a body of traditional owners - elected by Aboriginal people - as a voice for Aboriginal people going forward which will be known as the Aboriginal Representative Body.
“The representative body will along with government set ground rules for negotiations,” Ms Gallagher said.
“It will also set up an independent umpire, and run a self-determination fund to allow communities to negotiate with the State of Victoria on an equal footing. It will also include the input of elders to make sure it is culturally accountable.”
Ms Gallagher said she would be conducting dozens of gatherings across the state over the next 12 months with a goal to have a commission of representatives set up by July next year.
“My role is to establish a fully elected representative body of traditional owners from Victoria. Something that’s never happened before,” she said.
“That is a foreign construct culturally. In traditionally times it was the elders who were those who guided the community and were the decision makers.
“We have to piece that back together so we can have a mechanisms that are culturally appropriate but also fit and works in a modern world.”
Ms Gallagher said she was proud as a Victorian that the lower house had become the first in Australia to enact a treaty legislation.
“We just need to get it through the upper house this week and fingers crossed, all things are pointing towards that happening,” she said.
“It makes me feel very excited. There’s a feeling of hope for Aboriginal communities in this country where we haven’t had hope before.
“A treaty is not about people’s private land. It’s about truth, reconciliation and empowerment or a rich and ancient culture of Victoria.”
People wishing to be involved in the discussion can do so today (Monday). Fort non-Aboriginal people, a morning tea will be held at the Mechanics Institute, 117 Sturt Street between 9-10am while a gathering for Aboriginal people will be held at Koorie Services Hub, 403 Main Road from 1-3pm.
