‘s first treaty negotiations between the Victorian government and The First Peoples’ Assembly are on track to begin in four months.
The assembly has formally told the state’s independent Treaty Authority it is ready to start talks.
Discussions are likely to get under way in November following community consultation, co-chair Rueben Berg said on Wednesday.
‘Treaty is not something we enter into lightly, you want to make sure you’re actually got the things in place to negotiate properly a treaty,’ he told reporters.
Details of the treaty are yet to be agreed but Mr Berg said it would focus on structural reforms that provide advice directly to government.
‘Through treaty, we want to make sure we put decision-making back in the hands of First Peoples,’ he said.
‘Decisions about mob should be made by mob.
‘We also know government needs to be held more accountable for the activities they’re taking about First Peoples, that’s also what treaty will deliver.’
The Assembly’s declaration it’s ready to start discussions was entered into the Negotiation Database and a copy presented to the Treaty Authority at a ceremony on Wednesday.
The authority acts as an independent umpire that ensures parties uphold certain standards.
The Treaty Negotiation Framework allows traditional owners to form delegations to negotiate treaties that reflect priorities and aspirations of a specific area, while the assembly will negotiate a statewide treaty for structural reforms.
Assembly co-chair Ngarra Murray said they would continue gathering feedback from communities across Victoria, including engagement with traditional owner groups and Aboriginal controlled community organisations.
‘We’re really excited about bringing all their aspirations and all their hopes and dreams into this moment,’ Ms Murray said.
Victoria’s opposition withdrew its support for treaty in January, citing concerns about cultural heritage laws.
Mr Berg said he was open to further conversations with all sides of politics.