The Victorian Budget’s commitments to truth, Treaty and self-determination for First Nations communities can only be delivered by sustained resourcing for Traditional Owner Corporations.
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Victorian Government must step back so Traditional Owners can manage dingo culturally (9 April 2025)
A Victorian Government dingo decision that may have breached Aboriginal peoples’ legal rights must be rectified by enabling Traditional Owner management of culturally significant species, regardless of the outcome of a legal challenge to the decision.
Ending disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples requires an economic transformation driven by land rights and justice – and a new report, launched today, outlines 11 steps to create independent wealth for First Nations communities and unlock $1 billion in benefits for the Victorian economy.
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
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
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
Ending disadvantage experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples requires significantly increased access to the capital, markets and land that drive Indigenous economic development, not only jobs and mentoring.
Traditional Owners will be supported to be critical partners in Australia’s clean energy transition after government endorsement and $70 million in funding for the landmark First Nations Clean Energy Strategy.
Stronger support to engage in renewable energy development, increased core funding for Traditional Owner groups, and better recognition and resourcing for Indigenous intellectual and cultural property rights are among the recommendations of a parliamentary inquiry’s new report into Indigenous economic prosperity welcomed by the state-wide body that advocates for the rights and interests of Victorian Traditional Owner groups. Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations CEO, Paul Paton, welcomed today’s release of the report of the Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs’ Inquiry into Economic Self-determination and Opportunities for First Nations Australians – an inquiry the Federation provided a submission and testimony to in May and July this year. “It’s clear the Committee has heard Traditional Owner groups’ views and recommended reforms that could change the game for First Nations’ economic development,” said Mr Paton. “This report is significant for Traditional Owner groups – it hears and respects our ability to drive our own futures. I urge the Federal Government to implement its recommendations.” The Federation welcomed recommendations in the Committee’s report that – if implemented – would ratify the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, increase funding to Prescribed Bodies Corporate, strengthen Traditional…
Legislative reform that would increase the national Indigenous commercial investment body’s ability to raise and invest funds will power much-needed economic development for First Nations’ communities and help put control of Aboriginal lives into Aboriginal hands.
