Tuesday, 15 October 2024

Recognition and settlement agreements

Joe McCRACKEN (Western Victoria) presented a petition bearing 242 signatures:

The petition of certain citizens of the State of Victoria draws to the attention of the Legislative Council that this Government, on behalf of the State of Victoria, has signed a Recognition and Settlement Agreement (RSA) with the Barengi Gadjin Land Council (BGLC) on behalf of five indigenous groups, the Wotjobaluk, Jaadwa, Jardawadjali, Wergaia and Jupagulk Peoples (WJJWJ). It impacts 10 local councils. If fully implemented, the RSA would change the way the local councils operate and place the BGLC as sole manager of Crown and/or public land and waterways in the area. The BGLC would have ‘equal footing’ with the councils in developing council plans and require consultation on all strategies and planning permits. The cost to ratepayers are multiple and unknown, including ‘resource sharing’ and preferential employment and contracts to WJJWJ Peoples and entities.

The petitioners therefore request that the Legislative Council call on the Government to halt the the Barengi Gadjin Land Council Recognition and Settlement Agreement (RSA), including any negotiations, to enable the community to understand the details and implications of the RSA and inform, within a reasonable time, their local councillors of their views before any further negotiations with the Barengi Gadjin Land Council begin.

Joe McCRACKEN: I move:

That the petition be taken into consideration on the next day of meeting.

Motion agreed to.