2Objects and principles

2 Objects and principles

(1) The objects of this Act are—

(a) to give effect to the first Statewide Treaty; and

(b) to provide foundations for ongoing Statewide Treaty-making between Gellung Warl and the State, including to negotiate further functions and powers of Gellung Warl over time; and

(c) to advance the inherent rights and self‑determination of First Peoples; and

(d) to address the unacceptable disadvantage inflicted on First Peoples by the historic wrongs and ongoing injustices of colonisation and ensure the equal enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by First Peoples.

(2) This Act is underpinned by the following principles—

(a) Gellung Warl established under this Act has evolved from the critical successes of the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria Ltd ACN 636 189 412 and now sits at the centre of the Treaty relationship; and

(b) Gellung Warl has been designed by and for First Peoples based on broad engagement with First Peoples in Victoria and—

(i) it is inclusive and representative of all First Peoples; and

(ii) its structure of representation reflects Aboriginal Lore, Law and Cultural Authority and the responsibilities of Traditional Owners to Country and to all peoples who are on Country; and

(c) Gellung Warl is an ongoing feature of the democratic and political fabric of Victoria; and

(d) Statewide Treaty-making is an ongoing relationship in accordance with the Treaty Negotiation Framework and involves ongoing negotiations and agreement between the State and Gellung Warl; and

(e) Statewide Treaty-making imposes mutual obligations on Gellung Warl and the State to create and uphold co-operative arrangements to ensure laws and practices in Victoria benefit and create a better future for all Victorians; and

(f) ongoing Statewide Treaty-making includes the negotiation of the ongoing transfer of decision-making, rule-making, advisory and other powers and functions from the State government to Gellung Warl.