Nominations open for First Peoples’ Assembly north-east by-election

By Anna McGuinness

Jan 19, 2022

By-election soon: Assembly co-chair and Bangerang and Wiradjuri Elder Aunty Geraldine Atkinson is encouraging eligible people in the north-east region to consider nominating for the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria. Photo by Megan Fisher

The First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria is encouraging candidates to throw their hat in the ring for a by-election in the north-east region.

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The assembly is made up of 31 members working towards a Treaty and nominations are open until February 7 to fill a spot vacated in late 2021.

Assembly co-chair and Bangerang and Wiradjuri Elder Aunty Geraldine Atkinson encouraged eligible Traditional Owners of Country to consider nominating.

“We would like to have people who are considered leaders in the community, well-respected people or Elders who may have experience, but really anyone over the age of 18 can stand,” she said.

The north-east region runs south of the NSW border and includes Shepparton, Echuca, Mansfield, Rushworth, Tallangatta, Wangaratta and Wodonga.

As well as attending committee and full chamber meetings, the representative will bring the interests of the region to the development of the Treaty process.

“It’s really important the members know their community and are able to get out and talk with their community,” Aunty Geraldine said.

“We want to ensure there are better outcomes for Aboriginal communities in all areas.”

Aunty Geraldine said it was a challenging role but worthwhile.

“We’ve done some exciting things with the Yoo-rrook Justice Commission as part of the truth-telling process and we’ve also been able to negotiate with the government for a redress scheme for the stolen generations,” she said.

“The goal is by the end of this year we’ll have built the foundations for the Treaty.

“We’ve made so much progress already, but we need someone to step up and help make sure mob in the north-east are well represented.”

Nominations close at 4pm on February 7 and candidates can receive up to $1000 as well as non-financial support from the assembly to support their election campaign.

To nominate go to www.firstpeoplesvic.org/ne-byelection

The successful candidate will serve until the assembly’s next general election, due no later than December 2023.

Voting in the by-election will run from February 26 until 11pm, March 27, and is open to any person who is a Traditional Owner of Country in Victoria, or any Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person who has lived in Victoria for at least three of the past five years.

Community can enrol to vote at firstpeoplesvic.org/enrol