Victorian Treaty Authority Panel Announced

The path towards Treaty negotiations in Victoria took another step forward on Tuesday 5 December, with the announcement of the five inaugural members of the Treaty Authority.

Treaty Authority Panel next to the Pastor Sir Douglas and Lady Gladys Nicholls Memorial

The Authority will be the independent umpire in the negotiation process between Indigenous Victorians and the state government. The Panel consists of Dr Petah Atkinson; Thelma Austin; Jidah Clark; Andrew Jackomos; and Duean White; who were recommended by an independent panel, including Indigenous Law and Justice Hub Director, Dr Eddie Cubillo, following a rigorous and competitive selection process. They bring a diverse range of skill sets and experience to this vital role.

Newly Selected Treaty Authority with members of the Treaty Assembly on Tuesday,

including Dr Eddie Cubillo.

Mr Jackmos said the Authority would look to facilitate Treaty on behalf of both the ancestors over 65,000 years, and the future generations.

'We will perform our responsibilities with respect, transparency and honesty, upholding Aboriginal Lore and Culture and we trust that all that join us in Treaty negotiations will do the same,' he said.

The Authority is legislated through an agreement between the State of Victoria and the First Peoples' Assembly. This legislation ensures the Authority is independent and not subject to the direction of a Minister, protecting its funding from the otherwise usual budget and electoral cycles.

Although the task ahead is 'monumental', Ms White said 'It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to change our peoples' futures. I am proud to be living in a state that has the courage to do the right thing – that's what reconciliation is all about,' she said.

Wamba Wamba woman Karinda Taylor, who along with Aunty Vicki Clark, Marcus Clarke, Eddie Cubillo and Richard Wynne, made up the selection panel, said the Treaty Authority members would oversee the negotiations by helping to 'navigate the conversations required to realise Treaty in Victoria'.

'These five remarkable people are recommended as people of integrity and on whom the community can rely to be independent and impartial. The appointments come with a high level of responsibility and will require a considerable level of dedication,' Ms Taylor said.

'Each of the appointees has extensive skills and experience and are respected members of their communities.'

Meet the Treaty Authority members:

Dr Petah Atkinson: a Yorta Yorta woman with family connection to Wurundjeri, Taungurung and Waywurru people. A health practitioner, she has worked for over 25 years in the Aboriginal health sector, including leadership roles in Aboriginal Community Control Health Organisations.

Thelma Austin: a Gunditjmara woman with experience as a cultural advisor and manager in the corporate and legal sectors, she has a comprehensive understanding of the Victorian justice system through her work in various capacities with the Magistrates Court of Victoria – Koori Court Unit. Ms Austin has served as a board member of MAYSAR, Oxfam's National Aboriginal Reference Group, City of Yarra's Aboriginal Advisory

Jidah Clark: a Djab Wurrung man with Kirrae Wurrung, Boon Wurrung, Taungurung, Wemba Wemba, and Palawa ancestry. He is a lawyer with over a decade of work in the private, public and community sectors in both youth justice and community and policy development. He was a member of the Yoorrook Justice Commission's Expert Advisory Committee and played a pivotal role in the 'Our youth, Our way' inquiry.

Andrew Jackomos PSM: a Yorta Yorta man with direct heritage to the Gunditjmara, Taungurung and Boandik nations. He was the innagurarl Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and young people as well as leading the development and implementation of three iterations of the Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement between 1999 and 2013.

Duean White: a Biripi woman with corporate, government and not-for-profit experience. She serves as a mediator with the Victorian Small Business Commission, is on the current panel of dispute resolution providers with the Commission for Gender Equality in the Public Sector for Victoria and is an accredited mediator on the Native Title list for the Federal Court.