THE State Government and First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria have started negotiations for Australia’s first treaty.
“Treaty is about making a better and fairer state for every Victorian,” said Premier Jacinta Allan.
But Murray Plains MP Peter Walsh says that without any openness and transparency, Victorians will never know what rights or access to land and water will be traded away without their knowledge or agreement.
He says reports traditional owner groups across the state will be able to negotiate individual treaties, which it is suggested will reflect the priorities and aspirations in their local area, are incredibly concerning.
“We have multiple tiers of government already in place – does this secretive Premier plan to cut out local councils and local communities about their own shires and their own homes and business?” Mr Walsh asks.
“And if they are cut out, what does that do to other organisations such as our water authorities, water management in a country such as ours is already a massive and controversial challenge, that last thing we need in Victoria is our socialist Premier with her unbelievable blinkered view of the real world throwing yet another spanner in the works.”