Tuesday, 4 May 2004
SOCIAL JUSTICE COMMISSIONER WELCOMES YORTA YORTA AGREEMENT
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner, Dr William Jonas, has welcomed the recently announced agreement between the Yorta Yorta people and Victorian Government.
The agreement covers about 50,000 hectares of Yorta Yorta traditional country in north-central Victoria. Under the agreement, the Victorian Government formally recognises the Yorta Yorta peoples and their cultural connection to the land and water of their country. The agreement establishes a committee (with five members from the Yorta Yorta people and three from the Victorian Government) to advise the Victorian Minister for the Environment on management of crown lands and waters.
The Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission has been following the relations between the Yorta Yorta people and the Victorian Government for some time. The Commission intervened in the 2002 High Court proceedings to explain the inconsistency between the then state of native title law and the human rights of the Yorta Yorta people. The Commissioner's Native Title Report 2003 encourages parties to make greater use of Indigenous connections to land in addressing the economic, social and cultural interests of traditional owners.
The Social Justice Commissioner, Dr Jonas, said "The Yorta Yorta people and the Victorian Government have moved beyond the legal minimums of the Native Title Act. This approach provides an excellent example to other parties that the relationship between government and traditional owners exists regardless of formal court processes".
Media enquiries:
Janine MacDonald 02 9284 9880 or 0407 660 235
