Case 49: Human rights-based framework for agreements between state and traditional owner groups

Photo by Gary Radler

The Victorian Parliament passed legislation to create a framework for native title agreements to be made between the state and traditional owner groups. The first agreement under this legislation was made between Government and the Gunai Kurnai people, recognising them as traditional owners of land in the Gippsland region. The most progressive element of the legislation is that it affords traditional owners essential cultural rights as protected by the Charter. Specifically, it recognises the rights of traditional owners to enjoy their culture and identity and to maintain a spiritual relationship with the land and its resources.

Source: Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, Submission to the Four Year Review of the Charter, Appendix I, 2011