Aboriginal Law Bulletin --- "Victorian Government Responds" [1985] AboriginalLawB 34; (1985) 1(14) Aboriginal Law Bulletin 5

• Victorian Government Responds

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Victorian Government Responds

In a follow-up to the last issue's article on the Victorian Government's committee of inquiry for compensation to Aborigines due to their dispossession and dispersal, we present the following recent press release.

The Victorian Government has accepted in principle the recommendations of an all party parliamentary inquiry into compensation to Aboriginal people.

The Minister responsible forAboriginal affairs, Mr Evan Walker, said today the principles of the Social Development Committee's recommend ations would be incorporated in the Aboriginal Affairs Bill, which is planned for introduction In the spring parliamentary session.

Mr Walkersaid the government had asked the Department of Management and Budget to assess the specific recommendations on financial issues and would consider the availability of funds in the Budget context.

He said the government would also consider other specific recommendations in the light of public comment.

'We will also be taking steps to negotiate with the federal government on recommendations dealing with financial and administrative matters requiring joint responsibility,' he said.

Setting out the government's response to the report in a ministerial statement to the Legislative Council, Mr Walker said the government was particularly pleased that the all party committee had been unanimous in its recommendations.

'This indicates that a bipartisan approach can and should betaken on this important matter of justice; he said.

The committee, which reported to parliament on I November lost year, recommended that Victorian Aboriginal people should receive $5 million guaranteed annual compensation, indexed for inflation and provided jointly by the state and federal govemments. It also recommended thata Victorian Land and Compensation Council, consisting of Aboriginal representatives, should be set up to co-ordinate and administer the funds.

Mr Walker said the compensation issue was inextricably linked with the land rights issue, which was why the government intended to address both in the Aboriginal Affairs Bill. The Bill would enable groups of Aborginies fo lodge claims to various types of Crown land. These claims would be assessed by a body which would hold public hearings and make recommendations to the government.

He said the committee's recommendations were aimed at tackling the long term effects of the dispossession and dispersal of Aboriginal people in Victoria.

'These effects are well documented. Aboriginal people In Victoria are in serious need across the spectrum of health, employment, housing and education,' he said.

'Compensation and rights to land are not simply means of redressing past injustices. They will also assist Aboriginal people to establish an economic base and reduce reliance on welfare'.