The Federation welcomed the opportunity to contribute a submission to the Truth and Justice Commission Bill, which would create a national truth-telling mechanism as called for by the Uluru Statement from the Heart. In response to the Joint Standing Committee’s request to hear how the Commission could be culturally safe, our submission urged a future Commission to Commission to seek cultural and community authority (including through engaging with Traditional Owner Corporations), embed internationally established Indigenous human rights into its design, and take the best parts of Victoria’s Yoorrook Justice Commission to ensure a culturally safe and meaningful truth-telling process. Download the submission Read the testimony
The Victorian Government must commit to joint decision-making with Traditional Owners for culturally significant species following its decision to allow the continued killing of dingoes across north-east Victoria.
The Victorian Government must protect dingoes state-wide and recognise them as a culturally significant native species for which Traditional Owner groups must make decisions, says the state-wide body that advocates for the rights and interests of Victorian Traditional Owner groups.
The Federation’s submission to the Senate Standing Committees on Environment and Communications’ offshore wind consultation inquiry.
The Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations welcomes the formal recognition of Wamba Wemba Aboriginal Corporation as Victoria’s twelfth Registered Aboriginal Party as an important step towards upholding and activating Traditional Owner groups’ inherent collective rights.
The Victorian opposition leader’s incorrect claim that cultural heritage approval processes impede development are racist, baseless, and utterly unacceptable.
The Federal Government’s $14.6 million commitment to 12 new areas of land managed by Traditional Owner groups is a positive step towards increased Indigenous Protected Areas spanning south-eastern Australia – which are possible despite extensive freehold title in Victoria.
The Federation welcomed the opportunity to provide further information relating to water entitlement buy-backs in the Murray Darling Basin and urge a focus on Traditional Owner interests and perspectives as this work progresses.
The Federation welcomed the opportunity to share our views and expertise on Traditional Owner economic independence with the Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs.
The Federation welcomed the opportunity to share Traditional Owner views on the Draft Renewable Energy Zone Community Benefits Plan in June 2024.