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2021 Independent Review of Victoria’s Wildlife Act 1975

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The Federation welcomed the opportunity to contribute a submission to the Independent Review of Victoria’s Wildlife Act 1975, which sought to update how the 45-year-old piece of legislation could better reflect contemporary views and values, including respecting Traditional Owners. Our submission focused squarely on Traditional Owner groups’ rights: calling for a refreshed Wildlife Act that enshrines UNDRIP, enables self-determination, and reimagines natural resource management into a cultural landscapes worldview. Download the submission

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2023-24 Annual Report

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The post-Voice, pre-Treaty year: how will history see 2023 and 2024? The Federation’s latest annual report summarises a challenging year, which saw governments baulk at progressing Aboriginal rights, walk back commitments to truth-telling and self-determination, and use ‘wait for Treaty’ as an excuse to avoid or delay decisions that would materially improve life outcomes for Aboriginal Victorians – despite the latest Closing the Gap reports showing just five of 19 targets are on track. But adversity breeds innovation, and this year, the Federation commenced a bold new advocacy for Traditional Owner Corporations – advancing Traditional Owner groups’ rights and interests through systems change, practical support, and public advocacy. We’re pleased to summarise the year’s highlights in our latest annual report. Download the annual report  

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Submission to the Plan for Victoria

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The Federation welcomed the opportunity to contribute a submission on the first pillar of the 25-year Plan for Victoria framework, which envisages a state that centres self-determination and care for Country in its planning decision-making. Our submission focused squarely on Traditional Owners’ rights – the plan is an opportunity to be visionary in realising the collective right to self-determination, end damaging practices that impinge on and undermine rights, centre cultural obligations to Country, and fully recognise Traditional Owner Corporations’ rights and authority by providing for power-sharing partnership, we said (in just six pages, too!). Download the submission

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