Inquiry into the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice Referendum

In April 2023, the Federation made a submission to the Joint Select Committee on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice Referendum. The Federation supports the proposed amendments to the Australian Constitution to provide for the creation of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice. As a federation, we reflect the voices of Traditional Owners across Victoria and have heard that Traditional Owners need time to consult and discuss the referendum question, but that the principle of a Voice is broadly supported in their communities.

Read our full submission of the 2023 Referendum Submission.

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

In June 2022, the Federation made a submission to the federal Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, regarding the application of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Australia.

View our submission on the application of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in Australia.

Productivity Commission’s review of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap

In January 2023, the Federation provided comments and a briefing to the Productivity Commission, to inform its proposed approach to assessing progress of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap and how it is being implemented.

View our submission on Closing the Gap.

First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria

In November 2018, the Federation provided a submission to the Victorian Treaty Advancement Commissioner on a proposed Aboriginal Representative Body model.

In October 2020, the Federation provided a submission on the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria’s consideration of additional forms of recognition for the purposes of a reserved seat.

In February 2021, we  provided a submission on the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria ‘Proposed model for Additional pathways to reserve system’.

View our 2018 submission on a proposed Aboriginal Representative Body model.

View our 2020 submission on additional forms of recognition.

View our 2021 submission on the proposed model for additional pathways.