Victoria has taken a landmark step towards treaty with the establishment of the Victorian Treaty Advancement Commission.

Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Natalie Hutchins today announced that recruitment for the Victorian Treaty Advancement Commissioner has officially opened.

The Victorian Treaty Advancement Commission will strengthen independence for the Victorian Aboriginal community on the path to treaty, and keep them at the heart of the process.

The Commissioner will work closely with the Aboriginal Treaty Working Group to guide the development of the representative body and the process to treaty.

The establishment of the Victorian Treaty Advancement Commissioner forms part of the $28.5 million provided by the Andrews Labor Government in the Victorian Budget 2017/18 to progress treaty.

Applications for the new Commissioner will close on 7 November 2017. All Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are eligible to apply.

For more information on the Victorian Treaty Advancement Commissioner, how to apply and the treaty process, visit vic.gov.au/aboriginalvictoria/treaty.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Natalie Hutchins

“The appointment of the Commissioner is a landmark next step towards establishing the Victorian Aboriginal community and the Victorian Government as equal partners in the treaty process.”

“At the same time as the Turnbull Government dismisses self determination as too hard we are continuing to advance treaty while putting Aboriginal Victorians at the centre of decision making.”