In conjunction with Native Title Services Victoria and DLA Phillips Fox, on 8 October 2007, the Centre made a Submission to the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council regarding Indigenous land management and cultural practices in the River Red Gums Forests.
The submission considers the application of the rights and obligations contained in the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 to the Council’s draft proposals regarding the River Red Gums Forests. As stated in the Preamble, one of the founding principles of the Victorian Charter is that human rights have a special importance for the Aboriginal people of Victoria with their diverse spiritual, social, cultural and economic relationship with their traditional lands and waters. Of particular relevance to the recommendations contained in the Draft Proposals Paper relating to Indigenous land management and cultural practices are the protection of cultural rights (s 19) and the right to take part in public life (s 18).
The Centre’s submission urges the implementation of measures to facilitate the involvement of Indigenous people in decision-making about issues relating to their identity and culture and their connection with traditional lands in accordance with the human rights contained in the Victorian Charter.
