Treaty deal with Aboriginal people under negotiation in Victoria

The state of Victoria is a navigating a Treaty deal with its Aboriginal people for the first time in Australia.The process aims to acknowledge Aboriginal rights and improve the community's future by recognising past wrongdoing. Victoria is the first state in Australia to introduce treaty legislation for its Aboriginal people.It passed the Treaty bill a year ago to start formal negotiations to reach a deal. The Victorian government says the Treaty would help to improve the lives of Aboriginal Victorians. It's also a chance for reconciliation and to recognise people's pain. Victoria's Treaty Advancement Commissioner Jill Gallagher has told NITV's The Point the purpose of the Treaty is to recognise the Aboriginal community as the original people of the land. The State's Indigenous Affairs Minister, Gavin Jennings, has told SBS News he agrees land justice, health outcomes, education, employment, cultural heritage and language protection are all areas open for discussion in Victoria and admits there could be more than one or even dozens of treaties negotiated. Incoming Federal Indigenous affairs minister Ken Wyatt told NITV Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander agreements are taking place across Australia.

Source: AAP