Aboriginal community consultation workshops have begun across the state as Victoria continues to take steps towards treaty.

The workshops are being held across the state from 7 to 23 March  to give the Aboriginal community the chance to have their say on what a representative body to negotiate a treaty should look like.

These meetings will lead into a state-wide meeting in late April where it is expected that the structure of a representative body to negotiate will be decided. This follows an agreement on a road map to treaty at last year’s December 13 meeting.

The Aboriginal Treaty Interim Working Group will hold the following community consultations:

• 14 March in Portland
• 16 March in Sale
• 21 March in Wodonga
• 23 March in Melbourne

Workshop have also been held in Mildura and Echuca.

At each location there will be two sessions held, one starting at 10am and the other starting at 4pm.

The Andrews Labor Government has already established the working group to ensure that the model and approach to negotiating a treaty is truly representative of the Victorian Aboriginal community.

Any member of the Aboriginal community can also volunteer and become a treaty circle facilitator where they can lead their own treaty conversation with their family or friends using a handbook to guide them through the process.

An online platform is also available to any member of the Aboriginal community to have their say.

For more information and to register to attend visit: www. aboriginalvictoria.vic.gov.au

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Natalie Hutchins 

“These conversation are important ones for the Aboriginal community to have as we continue to progress towards treaty.”

“ We are serious about negotiating a treaty with Aboriginal Victorians and we have been clear we want it just as much as they do.”

Quotes attributable Aboriginal  Treaty Interim Working Group member  Muriel Bamblett 

“Treaty is about giving voice to Aboriginal people on issues of importance and to deliver a treaty the Victorian Aboriginal community needs to be fully informed and engaged.”