Morwell – 16 November 2016
The Morwell Community Consultation produced limited discussion on several design principles. Those participants who dominated discussions focussed the conversation on their mistrust of government, unhappiness with the consultation process and with Aboriginal organisations, the lack of community organisations in the Latrobe Valley, and the lack of representation of the Latrobe Valley at a State level. They felt they had been forgotten by government and the current socio-economic issues their community is facing are being ignored. This prevented the Community Consultation from moving to the participant workshops. This resulted in an inability to obtain a robust data set.
The very limited opportunity for the bulk of participants to comment on the design principles and roles and functions of the Representative Body raised in earlier Community Consultations elicited the following feedback:
•Inclusive representation – One participant suggested it is about grass roots representation where people have to be consulted with at all levels, but only Traditional Owners can make decisions. Another participant said that inclusive representation meant representative of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and representation as a whole, e.g. one mob. It was also suggested that consideration of all Aboriginal Victorians needs to be taken into account, meaning inclusive representation is inclusive of all groups
•Unity – The Representative Body must focus on relationship building and trust because “if we aren’t all in this together, we will go down, there is strength in numbers” and “we need leadership for Aboriginal people in this nation and we are scattered without it”
•Practical – “We don’t need to be re-inventing the wheel”
•Skills Based – “We must pick the best people for the job”
•Transparent and accountable – The Representative Body should be open, honest and transparent and it must be follow a transparent process that is open and allows for feedback
•Education – The participants attested that “real history” and Aboriginal languages should be taught in schools because education starts at the grass roots, and if children in a classroom have knowledge and understanding of what has happened to Koori people that will be the cycle breaker. The Representative Body should also increase the Aboriginal Community knowledge in self-determination and governance
•Investment and future planning – It’s about providing a “good future for my community” and “employment for our children”
•Represent the Aboriginal Community – It must provide a voice that is heard and “we need a voice from the La Trobe Valley”
It must also be noted that one participant outlined that democracy is contrary to Aboriginal way, where the traditional process is to send the best person for the job and that representative can change depending on the task at hand. They also said that Aboriginal protocols for discussion mean that no decision can be made until consensus is reached.