The Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO) is deeply disappointed by the Victorian Coalition’s vows to scrap Australia’s first statewide treaty if it wins government next year.
VACCHO CEO and former Treaty Advancement Commissioner, Dr Jill Gallagher AO, says she is saddened by the oppositions proposal to establish an advisory body that would sit within the department and would be the responsibility of just one government minister.
“It is deeply hurtful and disrespectful that the Coalition are using this historic moment to try and tear down the hard work of the First Peoples Assembly and everyone who has contributed to building this path to Treaty.”
“Decisions about us must be made by us and government bureaucrats don’t know what works and doesn’t work for our Communities. The Coalition’s policy is another example of decisions being made without us.”
The Opposition have said they don’t believe Treaty is the best way to deliver better outcomes for Aboriginal Victorians and instead, would establish a new government department called First Nations Victoria which would not be elected.
Dr Gallagher said the suggestion was nothing short of “ludicrous”.
“What the Coalition is proposing is just another advisory committee. We have had hundreds of committees over the years and they haven’t worked. The time for change is now – and I believe Treaty is the change we need.”
The Productivity Commission’s Closing the Gap review has recognised that Aboriginal people are the experts on our own lives and Communities. The review also highlighted that the Victorian Treaty model as an example of best practice.
“We know that people thrive when they can set their own course in life and when they can make choices about what works best for them and their families based on their own experiences, talents and aspirations,” Dr Gallagher said.
The First Peoples of this state have been working on Treaty across Victoria for almost a decade and Dr Gallagher says now it’s time to act, not create further division and continue to fuel culture wars.
“We already have an elected body and that is the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria which under the treaty bill would become a permanent representative body to provide advice to government. The majority of Victorians have already shown their support of Treaty and I urge all Victorians to show that same support at the polls in next years state election.”
“Now more than ever, Victorians needs to come together as one and celebrate belonging to the oldest continuing culture in the world. Rather than ignore our history, we should stand up and be proud of our Indigenous culture, which is a gift for all Australians,” Dr Gallagher said.
VACCHO proudly supports the Treaty that has been negotiated by the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria and looks forward to working with Gellung Warl.
