Ending disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples needs land rights, economic justice, and cultural authority – but the communities best-placed to lead change are being locked out of the economies emerging on their own Country, while the Commonwealth Government put all its eggs in the Closing the Gap basket, says our latest media release.

Mandatory agreement-making in emerging economies – like the billion-dollar business of data centres – is Traditional Owners’ minimum expectation for AI investment in Australia, says the Federation’s latest media release.

The statewide body for Victorian Traditional Owners has welcomed the appointment of former DEECA secretary John Bradley as the inaugural CEO of the new national environment regulator.

New environmental laws weaken requirements for governments to consult with Traditional Owners, but $250 million committed in today’s Federal Budget for their implementation could still involve Traditional Owners and create direct benefits for their communities if spent properly, says our latest media release.

Traditional Owners are ready to partner on plans for their Country and communities announced in today’s Victorian Budget, and would welcome the opportunity to co-design and deliver activities across the full Budget program, says our latest media release.

A new organisation measuring Indigenous economic data is an unprecedented opportunity to accelerate economic development, community wellbeing, and wider national productivity, says the Federation’s latest media release.

New national expectations for data centres released today miss a key opportunity for regional economic development and equitable partnership with Aboriginal communities, says the Federation’s latest media release.

A statement from the Federation in support of Traditional Owners’ cultural fire work.

There’s a $700 million gap in the Productivity Commission’s just-released productivity reform report, with no explicit mention of the value First Nations-owned businesses contribute to a competitive and attractive economy.

The Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations welcomes today’s apology by the Victorian Government to First Peoples as a significant moment in history and giant step towards true land justice. “I’m waking up today as a descendent of people whose Country, culture and language were taken by the state, and I’m feeling hope, and I’m feeling pride,” said Federation CEO Kaley Nicholson. “This apology is meaningful, it’s historic, it’s a high-water mark for reconciliation in this state, and it’s a critical step in a long road toward a better future, where we’ll see mob strong and proud, back in the driver’s seat, leading change in their communities.” Generations of Victorian children will learn the state’s colonial history after Statewide Treaty committed the Victorian Government to implementing the findings of Yoorrook Justice Commission into the school curriculum – increasing awareness of the land dispossession, massacres, deliberate destruction of language and culture for which Victorian Premier Jacinta Allen today apologised on behalf of the state. Ms Nicholson said that the apology, while deeply significant, was just the start of recognising and addressing harm, and Traditional Owners will be watching to ensure real action follows the words spoken today. “Sorry means you don’t…