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…

The Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations is delighted to announce the appointment of Kaley Nicholson as chief executive officer.

The Victorian Government is locking Traditional Owner groups out of mining happening on their Country by rushing project approvals and delaying promised agreement-making and benefit-sharing legislation, says the statewide body advocating for Traditional Owner groups’ rights and interests.

The Victorian Government’s decision to defer implementation of expert recommendations to improve Traditional Owners’ governance, rights and connection to native wildlife is another unacceptable delay after years of inaction, says the statewide body advocating for Traditional Owner groups’ rights and interests.

Replacing Treaty with yet another government department that tells Aboriginal People what’s best for us is a shameful and cowardly decision from the Victorian Liberal party that will only worsen Aboriginal life outcomes, says the statewide body advocating for Traditional Owner groups’ rights and interests.

Renewable energy legislation passed today is a welcome and important step towards Traditional Owner groups’ inclusion in the clean energy transition – but the true extent of the Victorian Government’s commitment to repairing past wrongs and ensuring Traditional Owners’ economic prosperity will lie in the strength of accompanying regulations, says the statewide body advocating for Traditional Owner groups’ rights and interests. The Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations acknowledges the VicGrid Stage 2 Reform bill as an important step towards the transmission network required for a clean and reliable energy supply for Victoria, and in particular welcomes its Traditional Owners Fund, which recognises the impact of renewables infrastructure development and operation on their Country. Federation interim CEO Kaley Nicholson congratulated resources minister Lily D’Ambrosio on this step towards supporting Traditional Owner groups. “A dedicated fund for Traditional Owners is wholesale recognition of our connection to Country and how infrastructure projects impact Country and community – historically, without our knowledge, consent or benefit,” she said. “The Traditional Owner Fund signals things will be done differently in the clean energy transition, and for that reason, the Federation welcomes VicGrid’s commitment to Traditional Owner communities.” The Federation contributed to VicGrid’s benefit-sharing consultation process,…