Standing side by side with RAPs, as Victorian Traditional Owners, Council is progressing its attainment of an independent organisational and operational structure.
With the longstanding support of the Ministers for Aboriginal Affairs and underpinned by the collective aspirations of the Act, Council seeks self-determination in its internationally benchmark setting work.
As Council begins work on its fifth Strategic Plan, we take the time to consider the support for its independence. In Council’s first Plan, the then Minister for Aboriginal Affairs the Hon. Richard Wynne, identifies the recently implemented Act as “giving Aboriginal people more power to articulate a vision for their future and to activate that vision is important in terms of making restitution and moving forward together.”
He supported Council to 'provide an expert state-wide voice for Aboriginal people and they do this independently of government.'
From 2008 to their most recent Plan, the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs in Victoria recognise the necessity and importance of Council’s impendence.
In 2017, then Minister for Aboriginal Affairs the Hon. Natalie Hutchins, was 'pleased that [the Plan] also sets the course for Council’s management of the new Victorian Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Fund and Council’s own transition towards greater independence.'
For over a decade, Council has been supported in it's seeking of independence. Now, after 100 Council meetings, a pandemic and 25 Council member appointments, it is time to realise the urgency of a truly self-determined autonomy.
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