Nerita Waight is new to the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria.Credit:LinkedIn
“I don’t want to hear another generation talking about deaths in custody,talking about over-policing and child removal,” she said.
“I want to see us talk about our strength and our resilience.”
Although she felt “a little bit apprehensive” about whether the body could achieve what it promised,she said she was reassured because the Aboriginal community was “always honest with each other”.
“That’s the one thing that sets us apart,” she said. “If we’re not getting there,we’ll have honest conversations about why and figure out how to get there.”
In the upcoming term,the assembly will negotiate a statewide treaty to tackle overarching issues such as improving health,education and justice. It will also help the diverse traditional owner groups in Victoria negotiate treaties in their areas that reflect their specific aspirations and priorities.
Twenty-two new members out of75 candidates were elected to general seats representing five regions:10 members from metropolitan Melbourne and three for each of the North-West,North-East,South-East and South-West regions.
Outgoing assembly co-chair Marcus Stewart casts his vote.
But the final make-up of the body is not yet set in stone:the new assembly still has to elect co-chairs from its ranks when it meets for the first time in July.
Outgoing co-chairs Marcus Stewart and Geraldine Atkinsondid not recontest their positions this election. Murray said there was also the option to rotate the positions for the chair roles.
The body also reserves an additional 11 seats for recognised Aboriginal parties,and traditional owner groups are still electing their representatives for those seats.
At least eight previous members of the assembly were re-elected:Alice Pepper,Alistair Thorpe,Esme Bamblett,Jacinta Chaplin,Jason Kelly,Jordan Edwards,Ngarra Murray and Michael “Mookeye” Bell.
Victoria’s new First People’s Assembly
Metropolitan Region
- Barry Firebrace-Briggs (Yorta Yorta,Ulupna)
- Indi Clarke (Wemba Wemba,Mutti Mutti,Boon Wurrung,Trawlwoolway and Lardil)
- Troy Austin (Gunditjmara)
- Esme Bamblett (Bangerang,Taungurung,Wiradjuri)
- Ngarra Murray (Wamba Wamba,Yorta Yorta,Dhudhuroa,Dja Dja Wurrung)
- Tracey Evans (Gunditjmara,Bundjalung)
- Nerita Waight (Yorta Yorta,Narrandjeri)
- Alister Thorpe (Gunai,Yorta Yorta,Gunditjmara)
- Uncle Shane Charles (Wurundjeri,Boon Wurrung,Yorta Yorta)
- Gary Murray (Dhudhuroa,Yorta Yorta,Barapa Barapa,Dja Dja Wurrung,Wamba Wemba,Wergaia,Wiradjeri)
South West Region
Jordan Edwards (Gunditjmara,Waddawurrung,Arrernte)
Michael “Mookeye” Bell (Gunditjmara,Boandik)
Sheree Lowe (Gunditjmara)
South East Region
- Alice Pepper (Gunnai,Yorta Yorta,Mutti Mutti,Gunditjmara,Arrernte)
- Peter Hood (Kurnai)
- Brian Stevens (Gunai)
North West Region
- Rodney Carter (Dja Dja Wurrung)
- Jacinta Chaplin (Wadi Wadi,Wamba Wamba)
- Jason Kelly (Wamba Wamba,Mutthi Mutthi)
North-East Region
- Levi Power (Yorta Yorta)
- Belinda Briggs (Yorta Yorta,Wamba Wamba,Wurundjeri and Ngiyampaa)
- Nicole Atkinson (Bangerang,Gunditjmara)
Though currently focused on a treaty,the assembly’s remit is expected to change in coming years and morph into a Victorian Voice body.
The independent body has more than tripled its electoral roll since 2019 to more than 7000 people,with a final vote count for the 2023 elections of about 4200 – double the number of votes in 2019.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 16 years and above from interstate must have lived in Victoria for more than three of the past five years to have been eligible to vote.
The body held enrolment drives at several large music,cultural and sporting events over the past 12 months to boost its electoral numbers.
Stewart said the elections were a watershed moment for the decolonisation of Victoria.
“This is self-determination in action. First Peoples in Victoria have spoken. These are the people who will represent us mob proudly and will get treaty done,” he said. “It’s a big honour,but also a big responsibility.”
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