Victorian Aboriginal Authority: An initial feasibility study
Summary
This paper outlines the findings from an initial feasibility study for a new, Aboriginal-led, independent statutory accountability entity to strengthen oversight of Victorian Government programs for Aboriginal people – a Victorian Aboriginal Authority (the Authority1 ).
The aim of the feasibility study is to assess whether there was potential support, need and merit in the proposal for an Authority and, if there was, to identify some of the key operating principles and structures of an Authority. This paper also identifies issues for further discussion and recommended next steps.
The proposal for a new entity was put forward as a priority of the Koori Caucus of the Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing Partnership Forum as a key mechanism to promote the self-determination of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria. In support of the Koori Caucus, the initial feasibility study and this paper have been prepared by the Lowitja Institute, working with Equity Economics, in partnership with VACCHO.
Findings
Aboriginal people in Victoria have been telling the Government for a long time about what it can do to work better with, and for, Aboriginal people. Over the years, many different consultation processes, reviews and reports have consistently shown that the Government’s contribution to Aboriginal people’s well-being can be improved by:
better coordination across departments and levels of government
better policy implementation where programs and services are culturally safe and responsive to the needs of Aboriginal people
more recognition and support for Aboriginal community-controlled organisations
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