{"id":"advancing-treaty-process-aboriginal-victorians-act-2018","name":"Advancing the Treaty Process with Aboriginal Victorians Act 2018","slug":"advancing-the-treaty-process-with-aboriginal-victorians-act-2018","collection":"act","jurisdiction":"vic","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":null,"makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":28671,"registerId":"vic-advancing-treaty-process-aboriginal-victorians-act-2018-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-01","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Advancing the Treaty Process with Aboriginal Victorians Act 2018","content":"Version No. 002\n\n**Advancing the Treaty Process with Aboriginal Victorians Act 2018**\n\n**No. 28 of 2018**\n\nVersion incorporating amendments as at  \n24 August 2022\n\n**TABLE OF PROVISIONS**\n\n*Section Page*\n\nPart 1—Preliminary 3\n\n1 Purposes 3\n\n2 Commencement 4\n\n3 Definitions 4\n\n4 Appointment of Victorian Treaty Advancement Commissioner 6\n\n5 Act does not affect certain rights 6\n\n6 Act does not affect native title rights and interests 6\n\n7 Act does not affect certain entities 7\n\n8 Act binds the Crown 7\n\nPart 2—Aboriginal Representative Body 8\n\n9 Recognition of Aboriginal Representative Body 8\n\n10 Function of Aboriginal Representative Body 8\n\n11 Declaration of Aboriginal Representative Body 8\n\n12 Recommendation for declaration of Aboriginal Representative Body 9\n\n13 Declaration to be made by certain date 9\n\n14 Revocation of declaration 10\n\n15 Process for determining if misconduct has occurred 11\n\n16 Effect of revocation of declaration 12\n\n17 Minister to prepare plan for making subsequent Aboriginal Representative Body declaration 12\n\n18 Subsequent Aboriginal Representative Body declaration 13\n\n19 Transmission of plans to the Parliament when in recess 14\n\nPart 3—Guiding principles for the treaty process 15\n\n20 Application of this Part and definition 15\n\n21 Effect of this Part 15\n\n22 Self-determination and empowerment 16\n\n23 Fairness and equality 16\n\n24 Partnership and good faith 16\n\n25 Mutual benefit and sustainability 16\n\n26 Transparency and accountability 17\n\nPart 4—Treaty Authority 18\n\n27 Treaty Authority 18\n\n28 Functions of the Treaty Authority 18\n\n29 Recognition of the Treaty Authority 18\n\nPart 5—Treaty negotiation framework 20\n\n30 Treaty negotiation framework 20\n\n31 Content of the treaty negotiation framework 20\n\n32 Variation of the treaty negotiation framework 21\n\n33 Commencement of treaty negotiations 21\n\n34 Treaty negotiations to comply with treaty negotiation framework 21\n\n34A Aboriginal Representative Body may be a party to treaty negotiations 22\n\nPart 6—Self-determination fund 23\n\n35 Self-determination fund 23\n\n36 Purposes of self-determination fund 23\n\n37 Aboriginal Representative Body to administer self‑determination fund 23\n\nPart 7—Dispute resolution 25\n\n38 Dispute resolution process 25\n\n39 Application of dispute resolution process 25\n\n40 Content of the dispute resolution process 25\n\nPart 8—Reporting 26\n\n41 Minister's annual report 26\n\n42 Aboriginal Representative Body's annual report 27\n\n43 Transmission of annual reports to the Parliament 27\n\n44 Transmission of annual reports to the Parliament when in recess 28\n\n═════════════\n\nEndnotes 29\n\n1 General information 29\n\n2 Table of Amendments 31\n\n3 Explanatory details 32\n\n**Version No.** **002**\n\n**Advancing the Treaty Process with Aboriginal Victorians Act 2018**\n\n**No. 28 of 2018**\n\nVersion incorporating amendments as at  \n24 August 2022\n\n**Preamble**\n\nThe State of Victoria acknowledges Victorian traditional owners as the first peoples of what is now known as Victoria. From time immemorial Victorian traditional owners have practised their laws, customs and languages, and nurtured Country through their spiritual, cultural, material and economic connections to land, water and resources. Through the strength, resilience and pride of Victorian traditional owners, their cultures, communities and economies endure and continue to grow and thrive today. Aboriginal Victorians are an intrinsic and valued part of Victoria's past, present and future.\n\nThe State acknowledges the diversity of Aboriginal Victorians, their communities and cultures, and the intrinsic connection of traditional owners to Country. Aboriginal Victorians are Victorian traditional owners, clans, family groups and all other people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent who are living in Victoria.\n\nVictorian traditional owners maintain that their sovereignty has never been ceded, and Aboriginal Victorians have long called for treaty. These calls have long gone unanswered. The time has now come to take the next step towards reconciliation and to advance Aboriginal self-determination. Aboriginal Victorians and the State are ready to talk treaty.\n\nIn recent times, Victorian traditional owners and the State have worked together to ensure traditional owners play a lead role in managing and protecting land, natural resources and cultural heritage. To date, consultations with Aboriginal Victorians have emphasised the leading role and authority of traditional owners when it comes to treaty. Through this historic Act, all Aboriginal Victorians and the State are building on this and other good work and embarking on a renewed and mature relationship. This relationship is one of equal partnership, founded on mutual respect and a commitment to justice and equality for Aboriginal Victorians, and to promoting reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Victorians.\n\nThe State will work to strengthen this relationship as it walks alongside Aboriginal Victorians on the pathway to treaty. This Act is an important first step on the journey. It is an expression of the State's commitment to lay the groundwork for future treaty negotiations in Victoria. To translate this commitment into outcomes, it is essential that Aboriginal Victorians and the State work in partnership at all stages of the journey.\n\nIn doing so, the State recognises the importance of the treaty process proceeding in a manner that is consistent with the principles articulated in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, including free, prior and informed consent. By continuing to consult and cooperate in good faith, the State will endeavour to take each step forward on the pathway toward treaty together with traditional owners and Aboriginal Victorians.\n\nAccordingly, this Act requires the State and a future Aboriginal Representative Body, as the voice chosen by Aboriginal Victorians, to work together in partnership to establish the entities, rules and resource base necessary to facilitate future treaty negotiations. The State and future Aboriginal Representative Body will at all times work collaboratively and always in good faith to achieve their joint vision for a state that celebrates Aboriginal Victorians in all areas of life.\n\nThe contents of a future treaty or treaties are yet unknown. A future treaty or treaties can help heal the wounds of the past, provide recognition for historic wrongs, address ongoing injustices, support reconciliation and promote the fundamental human rights of Aboriginal peoples, including the right to self-determination. A future treaty or treaties should enhance the existing laws of this State, acknowledge the importance of culture to Aboriginal identity, bring pride to all Victorians and have positive impacts for all of Victorian society. The State is committed to working with Aboriginal Victorians to negotiate a treaty or treaties on terms that will help tangibly improve their lives, and the lives of future generations.\n\nThe injustices of the past cannot be undone. The State is pursuing treaty because it is the right thing to do. Victoria needs a treaty or treaties that are reciprocal, and that through truth and justice provide far reaching benefits for Aboriginal Victorians. For traditional owners, Aboriginal children, elders, and stolen people; for a society that all Victorians can all be proud of; treaty will be for all Aboriginal Victorians. In the spirit of reconciliation, treaty will be for all Victorians.\n\nWith this Act Aboriginal Victorians and the State join hands to take the first step on the pathway towards treaty.\n\n**The Parliament of Victoria therefore enacts:**\n\nPart 1—Preliminary\n\n\t1 Purposes\n\nThe purposes of this Act are—\n\n(a) to advance the process of treaty making between traditional owners and Aboriginal Victorians, and the State; and\n\n(b) to provide for a mechanism for the State to recognise the Aboriginal Representative Body as the sole representative of traditional owners and Aboriginal Victorians for the purpose of establishing elements necessary to support future treaty negotiations; and\n\n(c) to enshrine the guiding principles for the treaty process; and\n\n(d) to require the Aboriginal Representative Body and the State to work together to establish elements necessary to support future treaty negotiations.\n\n\t2 Commencement\n\n(1) Subject to subsection (2), this Act comes into operation on a day or days to be proclaimed.\n\n(2) If a provision of this Act does not come into operation before 30 September 2018, it comes into operation on that day.\n\n\t3 Definitions\n\nIn this Act—\n\n***Aboriginal Representative Body*** means the entity declared to be the Aboriginal Representative Body by the Minister—\n\n(a) by an Aboriginal Representative Body declaration; or\n\n(b) by a subsequent Aboriginal Representative Body declaration;\n\n***Aboriginal Representative Body declaration*** means a declaration by the Minister under section 11;\n\n***Aboriginal Treaty Working Group*** means—\n\n(a) the Aboriginal Treaty Working Group recognised by the Minister in July 2016; or\n\n(b) if that Aboriginal Treaty Working Group is no longer in existence, a body established by the Minister from time to time with objectives that correspond with—\n\n(i) consulting with traditional owners and Aboriginal Victorians on options for establishing, or re‑establishing, the Aboriginal Representative Body; and\n\n(ii) providing advice to traditional owners and Aboriginal Victorians and to the State for the purpose of advancing the treaty process;\n\n***dispute resolution process*** means the dispute resolution process established by agreement by the Aboriginal Representative Body and the State in accordance with Part 7;\n\n***guiding principles*** means the principles set out in Part 3;\n\n***misconduct*** means conduct at a systemic level that brings the Aboriginal Representative Body into disrepute and that is not limited to the conduct of one person;\n\n***subsequent Aboriginal Representative Body declaration*** means a declaration by the Minister under section 18;\n\n***traditional owner***, in relation to an area in Victoria, has the same meaning as in **Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006**;\n\n***Treaty Authority*** means the Treaty Authority established by agreement by the Aboriginal Representative Body and the State in accordance with Part 4;\n\n***treaty negotiation framework*** means the treaty negotiation framework established by agreement by the Aboriginal Representative Body and the State in accordance with Part 5;\n\n***Victorian Treaty Advancement Commissioner*** means the office holder of that name appointed by the Governor in Council under section 88 of the **Constitution Act 1975**.\n\n\t4 Appointment of Victorian Treaty Advancement Commissioner\n\nThe Minister must not recommend a person for appointment as Victorian Treaty Advancement Commissioner unless the person is an Aboriginal Victorian.\n\n\t5 Act does not affect certain rights\n\n(1) Nothing in this Act—\n\n(a) derogates from any right or expectation under the **Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006**, the **Conservation, Forests and Lands Act 1987** or the **Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010**; or\n\n(b) affects any other right or expectation of traditional owners or Aboriginal Victorians under any other Act or law.\n\n(2) The provisions of this Act must be interpreted in a way that does not prejudice or reduce rights or expectations of traditional owners or Aboriginal Victorians established by or existing under any other Act or law.\n\n\t6 Act does not affect native title rights and interests\n\n(1) Nothing in this Act is intended to affect native title rights and interests otherwise than in accordance with the Native Title Act 1993 of the Commonwealth.\n\n(2) The provisions of this Act must be interpreted in a way that does not prejudice native title rights and interests to the extent that those rights and interests are recognised and protected by the Native Title Act 1993 of the Commonwealth.\n\n(3) In this section, ***affect*** and ***native title rights and interests*** have the same meanings as in the Native Title Act 1993 of the Commonwealth.\n\n\t7 Act does not affect certain entities\n\nNothing in this Act—\n\n(a) affects any statutory appointment existing for the purpose of representation of traditional owners and Aboriginal Victorians; or\n\n(b) limits the recognition of any Aboriginal entity under any other Act or regulations or other law; or\n\n(c) limits the functions of any Aboriginal entity conferred or imposed by any other Act or regulations or other law.\n\n\t8 Act binds the Crown\n\nThis Act binds the Crown—\n\n(a) in right of the State of Victoria; and\n\n(b) to the extent that the legislative power of the Parliament permits, in all its other capacities.\n\nPart 2—Aboriginal Representative Body\n\n\t9 Recognition of Aboriginal Representative Body\n\n(1) The Aboriginal Representative Body is the sole representative of traditional owners and Aboriginal Victorians for the purpose of establishing elements necessary to support future treaty negotiations.\n\n(2) The State must recognise the Aboriginal Representative Body as the sole representative of traditional owners and Aboriginal Victorians for that purpose.\n\n\t10 Function of Aboriginal Representative Body\n\n(1) The function of the Aboriginal Representative Body is to represent the diversity of traditional owners and Aboriginal Victorians in working with the State to establish by agreement elements necessary to support future treaty negotiations.\n\n(2) In carrying out the function specified in subsection (1), the Aboriginal Representative Body must—\n\n(a) ensure that cultures of traditional owners and Aboriginal Victorians are promoted and respected; and\n\n(b) work with traditional owners and Aboriginal Victorians.\n\n(3) All elected members (however described) other than employees of the Aboriginal Representative Body must be traditional owners.\n\n\t11 Declaration of Aboriginal Representative Body\n\n(1) The Minister, on the recommendation of the Victorian Treaty Advancement Commissioner, must declare an entity to be the Aboriginal Representative Body.\n\n(2) A declaration under subsection (1) must be made by notice published in the Government Gazette.\n\n\t12 Recommendation for declaration of Aboriginal Representative Body\n\n(1) The Victorian Treaty Advancement Commissioner must make a recommendation to the Minister that an entity be declared to be the Aboriginal Representative Body.\n\n(2) A recommendation under subsection (1) must be in writing and include—\n\n(a) the name of the entity; and\n\n(b) how the entity is established; and\n\n(c) the legal structure of the entity.\n\n\t13 Declaration to be made by certain date\n\n(1) If the Minister has not made an Aboriginal Representative Body declaration before 1 July 2019, the Minister must cause a plan for making a timely Aboriginal Representative Body declaration to be laid before each House of the Parliament on or before 15 sitting days after that day.\n\n(2) In preparing a plan under subsection (1), the Minister must—\n\n(a) for the purpose of working in partnership with traditional owners and Aboriginal Victorians, work together with the Victorian Treaty Advancement Commissioner and the Aboriginal Treaty Working Group; and\n\n(b) set out the actions to be taken by the Minister for the purposes of—\n\n(i) supporting traditional owners and Aboriginal Victorians in establishing the Aboriginal Representative Body; and\n\n(ii) making an Aboriginal Representative Body declaration.\n\n\t14 Revocation of declaration\n\n(1) The Minister may only revoke an Aboriginal Representative Body declaration if—\n\n(a) the entity declared to be the Aboriginal Representative Body ceases to exist; or\n\n(b) the Aboriginal Representative Body informs the Minister in writing that it is unable to perform its function under this Act; or\n\n(c) the Minister is satisfied on reasonable grounds that—\n\n(i) the Aboriginal Representative Body has committed misconduct; and\n\n(ii) by reason of the misconduct, the Aboriginal Representative Body is unable to effectively perform its function under this Act; and\n\n(iii) the Aboriginal Representative Body has failed to take reasonable steps to remedy the misconduct and to take all necessary steps to prevent further misconduct that are reasonably available.\n\n(2) If the Minister revokes an Aboriginal Representative Body declaration, the Minister must give reasons for the decision in writing.\n\n(3) If the Minister revokes an Aboriginal Representative Body declaration, the Minister, in the instrument of revocation, must provide for any transitional arrangements in relation to the activities of the Aboriginal Representative Body that are required until the Minister makes a subsequent Aboriginal Representative Body declaration.\n\n(4) This section applies despite anything to the contrary in sections 27 and 41A of the **Interpretation of Legislation Act 1984**.\n\n\t15 Process for determining if misconduct has occurred\n\n(1) For the purpose of determining if the Aboriginal Representative Body has committed misconduct, the Minister must carry out the following process—\n\n(a) give the Aboriginal Representative Body notice in writing of the Minister's concern that the Aboriginal Representative Body has committed misconduct;\n\n(b) invite the Aboriginal Representative Body to meet with the Minister within a reasonable period of time to discuss—\n\n(i) the alleged misconduct; and\n\n(ii) any actions taken by the Aboriginal Representative Body to remedy the alleged misconduct or prevent further misconduct;\n\n(c) request in writing the Aboriginal Representative Body to provide reasons, within a reasonable period of time specified by the Minister, why the Aboriginal Representative Body declaration should not be revoked.\n\n(2) The Minister must not revoke an Aboriginal Representative Body declaration under section 14(1)(c) unless the Minister has carried out the process specified in subsection (1).\n\n\t16 Effect of revocation of declaration\n\n(1) If the Minister revokes an Aboriginal Representative Body declaration under section 14(1)(b) or (c), the entity to which the revocation applies ceases to be the Aboriginal Representative Body for the purposes of this Act, without affecting the constitution or function of the entity for any other purpose.\n\n(2) The revocation of an Aboriginal Representative Body declaration does not affect the following—\n\n(a) any agreements already in force between the Aboriginal Representative Body and the State;\n\n(b) any actions taken by the Aboriginal Representative Body, or by the Aboriginal Representative Body and the State acting together.\n\n(3) Subsection (2) applies whether or not the Aboriginal Representative Body is declared to be the Aboriginal Representative Body—\n\n(a) by an Aboriginal Representative Body declaration; or\n\n(b) by a subsequent Aboriginal Representative Body declaration.\n\n\t17 Minister to prepare plan for making subsequent Aboriginal Representative Body declaration\n\n(1) If the Minister revokes an Aboriginal Representative Body declaration, the Minister must cause a plan for making a timely subsequent Aboriginal Representative Body declaration to be laid before each House of the Parliament on or before 30 sitting days after the day the Minister revokes the declaration.\n\n(2) In preparing a plan under subsection (1), the Minister must—\n\n(a) for the purpose of working in partnership with traditional owners and Aboriginal Victorians—\n\n(i) convene or cause to be convened a forum, or more than one forum, in relation to the Aboriginal Representative Body that is open to all traditional owners and Aboriginal Victorians; and\n\n(ii) work together with the Aboriginal Treaty Working Group; and\n\n(b) set out any other actions that must be taken by the Minister before making a subsequent Aboriginal Representative Body declaration.\n\n(3) If the Minister revokes an Aboriginal Representative Body declaration because the entity declared to be the Aboriginal Representative Body ceases to exist, the Minister must include in a plan prepared under subsection (1) the actions to be taken by the Minister to support traditional owners and Aboriginal Victorians to re‑establish the Aboriginal Representative Body.\n\n\t18 Subsequent Aboriginal Representative Body declaration\n\n(1) The Minister must declare an entity to be the Aboriginal Representative Body subsequent to revoking an Aboriginal Representative Body declaration.\n\n(2) Before declaring an entity to be the Aboriginal Representative Body under subsection (1), the Minister must comply with a plan prepared under section 17.\n\n(3) A declaration under subsection (1) must be made by notice published in the Government Gazette.\n\n\t19 Transmission of plans to the Parliament when in recess\n\n(1) If the Minister proposes to transmit a plan prepared under this Part to the Parliament when Parliament is in recess, the Minister must—\n\n(a) give one business day's notice of the Minister's intention to do so to the clerk of each House of the Parliament; and\n\n(b) give the plan to the clerk of each House on the day indicated in the notice; and\n\n(c) cause the plan to be published on an appropriate government website as soon as practicable after giving it to the clerks.\n\n(2) The clerk of each House of the Parliament must—\n\n(a) notify each member of the House of the receipt of a notice under subsection (1)(a) on the same day that the clerk receives that notice; and\n\n(b) give a copy of the plan to each member of the House as soon as practicable after the plan is received under subsection (1)(b); and\n\n(c) cause the plan to be laid before the House on the next sitting day of the House.\n\n(3) For the purposes of this section, the Parliament is in recess when neither House is sitting.\n\nPart 3—Guiding principles for the treaty process\n\n\t20 Application of this Part and definition\n\n(1) This Part specifies the guiding principles for the treaty process.\n\n(2) It is the intention of the Parliament that the guiding principles should be culturally empowering, and the Parliament acknowledges that the guiding principles may have different meanings and emphasis for different traditional owners and Aboriginal Victorians and those variations must be considered in the application of the guiding principles.\n\n(3) In this Part—\n\n***parties to the treaty process*** means the following—\n\n(a) the Aboriginal Representative Body;\n\n(b) the State;\n\n(c) the Treaty Authority;\n\n(d) any person, group or body participating in future treaty negotiations.\n\n\t21 Effect of this Part\n\n(1) The parties to the treaty process at all times must act in accordance with the guiding principles.\n\n(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the Aboriginal Representative Body and the State must act in accordance with the guiding principles in establishing elements necessary to support future treaty negotiations.\n\n(3) It is the intention of the Parliament that in the administration of this Act regard is to be given to the guiding principles.\n\n\t22 Self-determination and empowerment\n\n(1) Traditional owners and Aboriginal Victorians have the right to self‑determination.\n\n(2) Traditional owners and Aboriginal Victorians are empowered to freely determine their participation in the treaty process and, to this end, their form of representation in the treaty process.\n\n\t23 Fairness and equality\n\n(1) The parties to the treaty process must ensure fairness between parties as they work together to advance the treaty process.\n\n(2) The parties to the treaty process must make decisions that promote equality for traditional owners and Aboriginal Victorians.\n\n\t24 Partnership and good faith\n\n(1) The parties to the treaty process must work together in good faith to advance the treaty process.\n\n(2) If any disputes arise in advancing the treaty process, the parties to the treaty process must resolve those disputes as soon as possible after they arise.\n\n\t25 Mutual benefit and sustainability\n\n(1) The parties to the treaty process must commit to a treaty process that, in an ongoing and sustainable manner, provides material social, economic and cultural benefits for traditional owners and Aboriginal Victorians.\n\n(2) The parties to the treaty process must commit to advancing the treaty process in a manner that promotes reconciliation and celebration of cultures of traditional owners and Aboriginal Victorians and, in doing so, provides benefits to the whole of the Victorian community.\n\n\t26 Transparency and accountability\n\nThe parties to the treaty process must act with honesty and integrity and must be accountable for their shared commitment to self-determination and to the treaty process.\n\nPart 4—Treaty Authority\n\n\t27 Treaty Authority\n\nThe Aboriginal Representative Body and the State must work together to establish the Treaty Authority by agreement.\n\n\t28 Functions of the Treaty Authority\n\n(1) The Treaty Authority, once established, has the following functions—\n\n(a) facilitating and overseeing treaty negotiations;\n\n(b) administering the treaty negotiation framework;\n\n(c) providing for resolution of disputes in treaty negotiations in accordance with the treaty negotiation framework;\n\n(d) carrying out research to support treaty negotiations and the administration of the treaty negotiation framework.\n\n(2) In establishing the Treaty Authority, the Aboriginal Representative Body and the State may include any additional functions to those specified in subsection (1).\n\n(3) In the performance of its functions the Treaty Authority is not subject to the direction or control of the Minister.\n\n\t29 Recognition of the Treaty Authority\n\n(1) The State must recognise the Treaty Authority established by the Aboriginal Representative Body and the State in accordance with this Part as a necessary element to the treaty process and as the sole entity performing the functions of the Treaty Authority.\n\n(2) The State must work with the Treaty Authority in good faith to advance the treaty process.\n\nPart 5—Treaty negotiation framework\n\n\t30 Treaty negotiation framework\n\n(1) The Aboriginal Representative Body and the State must work together to establish the treaty negotiation framework by agreement.\n\n(2) The Aboriginal Representative Body and the State must not agree to the treaty negotiation framework before the Treaty Authority is established.\n\n(3) The Aboriginal Representative Body and the State must ensure that the treaty negotiation framework provides for the negotiation of a treaty or treaties that—\n\n(a) recognise historic wrongs; and\n\n(b) address ongoing injustices; and\n\n(c) help heal wounds of the past; and\n\n(d) support reconciliation; and\n\n(e) bring pride to Victorians; and\n\n(f) have positive impacts for Victoria; and\n\n(g) promote the fundamental human rights of Aboriginal peoples, including the right to self-determination; and\n\n(h) acknowledge the importance of culture to Aboriginal identity; and\n\n(i) enhance the laws of Victoria.\n\n\t31 Content of the treaty negotiation framework\n\n(1) The treaty negotiation framework must include the following matters—\n\n(a) the process for negotiating a treaty or treaties;\n\n(b) the process for formalising agreement to a treaty or treaties;\n\n(c) minimum standards with which a party must comply in order to enter into treaty negotiations;\n\n(d) a schedule setting out the matters (if any) that cannot or must not be agreed to in the course of treaty negotiations;\n\n(e) the process for the resolution of disputes arising in the course of treaty negotiations;\n\n(f) the mechanisms for enforcing a treaty or treaties;\n\n(g) reporting requirements in relation to a treaty or treaties.\n\n(2) The treaty negotiation framework must be consistent with the functions of the Treaty Authority specified in section 28.\n\n(3) In establishing the treaty negotiation framework by agreement, the Aboriginal Representative Body and the State may include additional matters to those specified in subsections (1) and (2).\n\n\t32 Variation of the treaty negotiation framework\n\nThe Aboriginal Representative Body and the State may vary the treaty negotiation framework by agreement.\n\n\t33 Commencement of treaty negotiations\n\nTreaty negotiations must not commence before the treaty negotiation framework is agreed to.\n\n\t34 Treaty negotiations to comply with treaty negotiation framework\n\nTreaty negotiations must be conducted in accordance with the treaty negotiation framework.\n\nS. 34A inserted by No. 33/2022 s. 20.\n\n\t34A Aboriginal Representative Body may be a party to treaty negotiations\n\nNothing in this Act prevents the entity that is the Aboriginal Representative Body from entering into treaty negotiations.\n\nPart 6—Self-determination fund\n\n\t35 Self-determination fund\n\nThe Aboriginal Representative Body and the State must work together to establish the self‑determination fund by agreement.\n\n\t36 Purposes of self-determination fund\n\n(1) The self-determination fund has the following purposes—\n\n(a) supporting traditional owners and Aboriginal Victorians to have equal standing with the State in treaty negotiations;\n\n(b) providing a financial resource, independent from the State, that empowers traditional owners and Aboriginal Victorians to build capacity, wealth and prosperity.\n\n(2) In establishing the self-determination fund, the Aboriginal Representative Body and the State may include purposes additional to those specified in subsection (1) by agreement.\n\n(3) The Aboriginal Representative Body and the State may vary any additional purposes of the self-determination fund agreed to under subsection (2) by agreement.\n\nS. 37 amended by No. 33/2022 s. 21 (ILA s. 39B(1)).\n\n\t37 Aboriginal Representative Body to administer self‑determination fund\n\n(1) The Aboriginal Representative Body must administer the self-determination fund in a manner consistent with the purposes specified in section 36.\n\nS. 37(2) inserted by No. 33/2022 s. 21.\n\n(2) Without limiting subsection (1), the Aboriginal Representative Body may, for the purpose of performing its duty under that subsection, appoint a company, wholly owned by the Aboriginal Representative Body, to hold the self‑determination fund on trust consistent with the purposes specified in section 36.\n\nPart 7—Dispute resolution\n\n\t38 Dispute resolution process\n\nThe Aboriginal Representative Body and the State must work together to establish the dispute resolution process by agreement.\n\n\t39 Application of dispute resolution process\n\nAny disputes between the Aboriginal Representative Body and the State that arise in the course of performing any function under Parts 4, 5 or 6 must be dealt with in accordance with the dispute resolution process.\n\n\t40 Content of the dispute resolution process\n\nThe dispute resolution process must—\n\n(a) be culturally appropriate; and\n\n(b) set out a procedure for the resolution of disputes between the Aboriginal Representative Body and the State that arise in the course of performing any function under Parts 4, 5 or 6; and\n\n(c) specify the periods of time within which stages of the dispute resolution process must be carried out; and\n\n(d) provide for the extension of time by written consent of the Aboriginal Representative Body and the State.\n\nPart 8—Reporting\n\n\t41 Minister's annual report\n\n(1) The Minister must prepare an annual report on the work of the State in advancing the treaty process that—\n\n(a) sets out the progress towards establishing by agreement—\n\n(i) the Treaty Authority; and\n\n(ii) the treaty negotiation framework; and\n\n(iii) the self-determination fund; and\n\n(b) includes the details of any events or activities conducted for the purpose of working in partnership with traditional owners and Aboriginal Victorians in advancing the treaty process; and\n\n(c) sets out any findings or outcomes arising from events or activities conducted for the purpose of working in partnership with traditional owners and Aboriginal Victorians in advancing the treaty process; and\n\n(d) sets out the activities conducted by the State to engage traditional owners, Aboriginal Victorians and non-Aboriginal Victorians in the treaty process; and\n\n(e) includes any other information in relation to advancing the treaty process that the Minister considers relevant.\n\n(2) The Minister must prepare a report under subsection (1)—\n\n(a) as soon as practicable after the end of each financial year; and\n\n(b) as a report separate to any other report prepared by the Minister.\n\n\t42 Aboriginal Representative Body's annual report\n\n(1) The Aboriginal Representative Body must prepare an annual report on the work of the Aboriginal Representative Body in advancing the treaty process that—\n\n(a) sets out the progress towards establishing by agreement—\n\n(i) the Treaty Authority; and\n\n(ii) the treaty negotiation framework; and\n\n(iii) the self-determination fund; and\n\n(b) includes the details of any events or activities conducted for the purpose of advancing the treaty process; and\n\n(c) sets out any findings or outcomes arising from events or activities conducted for the purpose of advancing the treaty process; and\n\n(d) includes any other information in relation to advancing the treaty process that the Aboriginal Representative Body considers relevant.\n\n(2) The Aboriginal Representative Body must provide a report prepared under subsection (1) to the Minister for the purpose of transmission of the report to the Parliament.\n\n\t43 Transmission of annual reports to the Parliament\n\nThe Minister must cause a copy of the Minister's annual report and a copy of the Aboriginal Representative Body's annual report to be laid before each House of the Parliament within 3 sitting days of that House after the preparation of the Minister's annual report or receipt of the Aboriginal Representative Body's annual report (as the case requires).\n\n\t44 Transmission of annual reports to the Parliament when in recess\n\n(1) If the Minister proposes to transmit a copy of the Minister's annual report and a copy of the Aboriginal Representative Body's annual report to the Parliament when Parliament is in recess, the Minister must—\n\n(a) give one business day's notice of the Minister's intention to do so to the clerk of each House of the Parliament; and\n\n(b) give the reports to the clerk of each House on the day indicated in the notice; and\n\n(c) cause the reports to be published on an appropriate government website as soon as practicable after giving the reports to the clerks.\n\n(2) The clerk of each House of the Parliament must—\n\n(a) notify each member of the House of the receipt of a notice under subsection (1)(a) on the same day that the clerk receives that notice; and\n\n(b) give copies of the reports to each member of the House as soon as practicable after the reports are received under subsection (1)(b); and\n\n(c) cause the reports to be laid before the House on the next sitting day of the House.\n\n(3) For the purposes of this section, the Parliament is in recess when neither House is sitting.\n\n ═════════════\n\nEndnotes\n\n1 General information\n\nSee [www.legislation.vic.gov.au](http://www.legislation.vic.gov.au) for Victorian Bills, Acts and current Versions of legislation and up-to-date legislative information.\n\n*Minister's second reading speech—*\n\n*Legislative Assembly: 28 March 2018*\n\n*Legislative Council: 8 June 2018*\n\nThe long title for the Bill for this Act was \"A Bill for an Act to advance the treaty process between Aboriginal Victorians and the State by providing for the recognition of the Aboriginal Representative Body, enshrining the guiding principles for the treaty process and requiring the Aboriginal Representative Body and the State to work together to establish elements necessary to support future treaty negotiations and for other purposes.\"\n\nThe **Advancing the Treaty Process with Aboriginal Victorians Act 2018** was assented to on 3 July 2018 and came into operation on 1 August 2018: Special Gazette (No. 356) 31 July 2018 page 1.\n\nINTERPRETATION OF LEGISLATION ACT 1984 (ILA)\n\nStyle changes\n\nSection 54A of the ILA authorises the making of the style changes set out in Schedule 1 to that Act.\n\nReferences to ILA s. 39B\n\nSidenotes which cite ILA s. 39B refer to section 39B of the ILA which provides that where an undivided section or clause of a Schedule is amended by the insertion of one or more subsections or subclauses, the original section or clause becomes subsection or subclause (1) and is amended by the insertion of the expression \"(1)\" at the beginning of the original section or clause.\n\nInterpretation\n\nAs from 1 January 2001, amendments to section 36 of the ILA have the following effects:\n\n• Headings\n\nAll headings included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Act. Any heading inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Act. This includes headings to Parts, Divisions or Subdivisions in a Schedule; sections; clauses; items; tables; columns; examples; diagrams; notes or forms. See section 36(1A)(2A).\n\n• Examples, diagrams or notes\n\nAll examples, diagrams or notes included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 form part of that Act. Any examples, diagrams or notes inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, form part of that Act. See section 36(3A).\n\n• Punctuation\n\nAll punctuation included in an Act which is passed on or after 1 January 2001 forms part of that Act. Any punctuation inserted in an Act which was passed before 1 January 2001, by an Act passed on or after 1 January 2001, forms part of that Act. See section 36(3B).\n\n• Provision numbers\n\nAll provision numbers included in an Act form part of that Act, whether inserted in the Act before, on or after 1 January 2001. Provision numbers include section numbers, subsection numbers, paragraphs and subparagraphs. See section 36(3C).\n\n• Location of \"legislative items\"\n\nA \"legislative item\" is a penalty, an example or a note. As from 13 October 2004, a legislative item relating to a provision of an Act is taken to be at the foot of that provision even if it is preceded or followed by another legislative item that relates to that provision. For example, if a penalty at the foot of a provision is followed by a note, both of these legislative items will be regarded as being at the foot of that provision. See section 36B.\n\n• Other material\n\nAny explanatory memorandum, table of provisions, endnotes, index and other material printed after the Endnotes does not form part of an Act.  \nSee section 36(3)(3D)(3E).\n\n2 Table of Amendments\n\nThis publication incorporates amendments made to the **Advancing the Treaty Process with Aboriginal Victorians Act 2018** by Acts and subordinate instruments.\n\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\n\n**Treaty Authority and Other Treaty Elements Act 2022, No. 33/2022**\n\n| Assent Date: | 23.8.22 |\n| --- | --- |\n| Commencement Date: | Ss 20, 21 on 24.8.22: s. 2 |\n| Current State: | This information relates only to the provision/s amending the **Advancing the Treaty Process with Aboriginal Victorians Act 2018** |\n\n\n–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––\n\n3 Explanatory details\n\nNo entries at date of publication.","sortOrder":0}],"analysis":{"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The Act's scope was expanded by 2022 amendments (Treaty Authority and Other Treaty Elements Act 2022). Those amendments inserted section 34A expressly permitting the Aboriginal Representative Body to be a party to treaty negotiations (s.34A, inserted by No.33/2022 s.20) and amended section 37 to allow the Aboriginal Representative Body to appoint a wholly owned company to hold the self‑determination fund on trust (s.37(2), amended by No.33/2022 s.21). These additions broaden the organisational and transactional options for the treaty process and the fund's governance."},"complexity_factors":["Creates multiple new institutional relationships that must be established by agreement (Treaty Authority, treaty negotiation framework, self‑determination fund, dispute resolution) — Parts 4–7.","Ministerial powers to declare and revoke the Aboriginal Representative Body with procedural safeguards and discretionary standards (ss.11, 12, 14–17).","Interacts expressly with other legislation and legal regimes (Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006, Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010, Native Title Act 1993) requiring interpretation to avoid prejudice (ss.5–7).","Use of undefined or partly normative terms that affect application (eg. “misconduct” defined as systemic conduct bringing the ARB into disrepute) creates scope for factual and legal dispute (definition in s.3; s.14).","Reporting and parliamentary timing rules impose specific administrative timelines and publication duties (ss.19, 41–44).","Operational independence of the Treaty Authority from ministerial direction but requirement it be established by agreement creates a potential stalemate risk (ss.27–29).","Financial and governance complexity for the self‑determination fund, including requirement for independence from the State and option for a company wholly owned by the ARB to hold the fund on trust (ss.35–37).","Amendments inserted in 2022 (eg. s.34A and s.37(2)) add new pathways and corporate options, increasing legal and governance permutations."],"plain_english_summary":"This Act sets a legal framework for negotiating future treaties between Aboriginal Victorians and the State. It recognises an Aboriginal Representative Body as the State's sole representative for establishing key institutions (Treaty Authority, negotiation framework, self‑determination fund, dispute resolution and reporting) and requires the State and that Body to work by agreement. It binds the Crown, enshrines guiding principles (self‑determination, fairness, partnership, mutual benefit, transparency), and protects existing statutory and native title rights while giving the Minister and Victorian Treaty Advancement Commissioner roles in declaration and oversight."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"Unauthenticated. Configure AI_GATEWAY_API_KEY or use a provider module. Learn more: https://ai-sdk.dev/unauthenticated-ai-gateway","source":"analysis-cron"},"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":4,"scope_assessment":{"changed":false,"description":"The legislation remains focused on its original purpose: establishing the structural elements (Representative Body, Treaty Authority, negotiation framework, and fund) necessary to support future treaty negotiations. The 2022 amendments added only minor procedural clarifications (allowing the Representative Body to be a party to negotiations and permitting a wholly-owned company to hold the self-determination fund on trust) without expanding the Act's scope beyond its foundational treaty-advancement purpose."},"complexity_factors":["Straightforward structure with only 8 Parts and 44 sections (plus preamble)","Minimal cross-referencing—mostly internal references to other Parts of the same Act","Only 11 defined terms in section 3, most with plain English explanations","No nested exceptions or highly conditional logic; most obligations are direct ('must work together', 'must establish')","Simple procedural requirements (e.g., Gazette notices, parliamentary tabling) without intricate administrative steps","Amendments are minimal (only 2 sections inserted by 2022 amending Act) and do not significantly complicate the structure","Preamble is lengthy but non-binding; operative provisions remain clear"],"plain_english_summary":"This Victorian law creates the legal foundation for negotiating treaties between the State of Victoria and Aboriginal Victorians (including traditional owners). It doesn't create a treaty itself—rather, it sets up the machinery to get there.\n\n**What it does:**\n- **Establishes a representative body**: Creates a process to recognise an 'Aboriginal Representative Body'—the sole voice chosen by Aboriginal Victorians to negotiate on their behalf. This body must be declared by the Minister, but only after recommendation by a Victorian Treaty Advancement Commissioner (who must be an Aboriginal Victorian).\n- **Sets guiding principles**: Enshrines six principles that all parties must follow—self-determination, fairness, partnership, mutual benefit, transparency, and good faith. These are meant to be culturally empowering and recognise that different Aboriginal groups may interpret them differently.\n- **Creates three key institutions**: Requires the State and the Representative Body to jointly establish:\n  - A **Treaty Authority**—an independent body to oversee and facilitate treaty negotiations;\n  - A **treaty negotiation framework**—the rules of the game for how treaties will be negotiated, including dispute resolution and enforcement; and\n  - A **self-determination fund**—a pot of money to give Aboriginal Victorians equal footing in negotiations and build long-term capacity.\n- **Protects existing rights**: Makes clear this law doesn't interfere with native title rights, existing Aboriginal heritage laws, or other statutory bodies representing Aboriginal people.\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- **Aboriginal Victorians** (traditional owners and other Aboriginal people living in Victoria)—they get a formal structure to negotiate treaties and a fund to support that work.\n- **The Victorian Government**—must work in partnership with the Representative Body and can't unilaterally dictate terms.\n- **Future treaty negotiators**—anyone participating in treaty talks must follow the guiding principles.\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis is Australia's first treaty legislation. It acknowledges that Aboriginal sovereignty was never ceded and attempts to create a fair, structured process for negotiating agreements that could address historical wrongs, improve outcomes for Aboriginal Victorians, and promote reconciliation. It's a framework law—meaning the actual treaties (what they cover, what they promise) come later through negotiation."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/advancing-the-treaty-process-with-aboriginal-victorians-act-2018","history":"/api/acts/advancing-the-treaty-process-with-aboriginal-victorians-act-2018/history","analysis":"/api/acts/advancing-the-treaty-process-with-aboriginal-victorians-act-2018/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/advancing-the-treaty-process-with-aboriginal-victorians-act-2018/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/advancing-the-treaty-process-with-aboriginal-victorians-act-2018/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/advancing-the-treaty-process-with-aboriginal-victorians-act-2018/documents"}}