Victoria has signed Australia’s first Treaty with its First People.
Treaty is a practical way to deliver practical change, giving Aboriginal Victorians a say over the policies and programs that affect them.
The effects of entrenched disadvantage are felt more heavily by Aboriginal women than Aboriginal men, or non-Aboriginal people. This Budget invests in initiatives that disproportionately benefit First Peoples women, helping them to achieve better outcomes, through:
- $86 million of the $860 million Social Housing Growth Fund to support more First Peoples including women to access safe, secure and appropriate housing.
- $35 million which includes support for Aboriginal-led public intoxication reform.
- $31 million to support the construction of a new, purpose-built facility for Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative. The new facility will provide clinical services, social and emotional wellbeing services, early years and development services, maternal and child health, family, disability and aged care services.
- $13 million for The Nest to provide culturally safe, early intervention supports for Aboriginal children and their families facing mental health challenges.
To help close the gap in justice outcomes for First Peoples women, this Budget delivers:
- $7.8 million for the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria to operate a dedicated Koori Hearing List.
- $6 million to progress implementation and coordination of recommendations from the Yoorrook Justice Commission.
- $2.9 million for Aboriginal community-based justice solutions to reduce the over-representation of Aboriginal people in the Victorian justice system and prevent Aboriginal deaths in custody.
Updated