Victorian Labor’s policies on Aboriginal issues

ABORIGINAL CULTURE AND COUNTRY
5.2.1.1 SELF DETERMINATION
Labor supports the development of a treaty with our first nation’s people. Labor will: * resource and support the Victorian Treaty Advancement Commission to develop a representative structure to negotiate the terms of a Treaty with Victoria; * support the representative structure to negotiate a treaty; * work with Aboriginal Victorians to determine a process that reports against a set of key indicators and monitors government efforts to improve outcomes across the Victorian Aboriginal Community:

5.2.1.2 LAND RIGHTS AND CULTURAL HERITAGE Labor acknowledges and supports traditional owners and their connection to land, culture and heritage. Labor will develop and lead a policy reform that provides self-determined land-based initiatives, aimed at providing economic development and employment opportunities and reaffirming the access and development rights of traditional owners of the land estate of Aboriginal Victorians. Labor will: * accelerate the negotiation and resolution of outstanding Traditional Owner Settlement claims; * investigate the application of a revenue scheme for traditional owner groups, incorporating best practice from other models and jurisdictions; * work with Traditional Owners as equal partners in the management of public lands and natural resources, planning and management; * ensure that Caring for Country will become embedded as the best practice approach to land and sea management in Victoria; * support Victorian Aboriginal landholders to map their cultural heritage includingintangible cultural heritage; * acknowledge, recognise and remember our Aboriginal legacy and history in partnership with Aboriginal Victorians and follow appropriate protocols to create lasting memorials and markers that recognise and contribute to Reconciliation with the legacy of the past; * continue and expand the practice of having Traditional Owner Country plaques/signs at geographic markers at government boundaries or Traditional Owner boundaries; * roll out State-wide initiatives across cemeteries to ensure culturally appropriate resting places; * work with relevant Aboriginal groups and individuals to establish codes of conduct that ensure consent of Aboriginal Victorians is obtained when collecting and using Indigenous information for research; and * promote and resource Victorian Aboriginal Languages Week.

POLICY IN ACTION
CONSULTATION WITH ABORIGINAL VICTORIANS ON TREATY
The Victorian Treaty Advancement Commission will continue to lead engagement on the treaty process and the development of the Aboriginal Representative Body with the Aboriginal Community. Aboriginal Elders and Traditional Owners are being supported to engage further on the state’s Treaty process through Treaty Circle Grants that will fund smaller consultations or ‘Treaty Circles’ on key matters relating to Treaty, while Treaty Engagement Grants that will support deeper, ongoing consultation, as well as strategic planning and research in the areas of self-determination and Treaty.

7.6.8 COMMUNITY AND INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE IN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
Indigenous people and informed landholders often have valuable wisdom and knowledge to share about their local environment that may also assist with scientific research and policy making.

7.10.4 RECOGNISING ABORIGINAL VALUES OF WATER
Water for Victoria has given a clear roadmap to deliver water for Aboriginal cultural, spiritual and economic values. Labor will: support Aboriginal communities to access water and achieve economic development outcomes; and build capacity to increase Aboriginal participation in water management and use.