Justice Action Maribyrnong - JAM

22/10/2026

James will be ‘in conversation at Footscray Library, Friday 13 November, 6pm. Register: https://justiceactionmaribyrnong.com/2026/10/05/origins-in-conversation-with-james-boyce/

21/10/2026

Online Event
Monday 26 October, 6pm

Voice from the Heart Alliance in conversation with Dean Saffron and honouring Uncle Merve Bishop

19/10/2026

Lisa Briggs Close the Gap on Treaty and Trauma

Hailed as "two worlds" coming together to forge deeper understanding, the signing of Victoria's nation-first treaty marked a historic moment once thought impossible.

But less than a year on, the state's Liberal-National coalition has flagged its intention to repeal the agreement within 100 days should it win the November 28 election.

It's a prospect that is anathema to human rights advocate Travis Lovett, who served as deputy chair and commissioner of Australia's first formal, Indigenous-led truth-telling inquiry, the Yoorrook Justice Commission.

Such a move would trigger community devastation across Victoria, he tells AAP.

"It would cause a lot of trauma towards First Peoples again if the treaty was abolished," he says.

Formalised last October, the Statewide Treaty Act 2025 marked a groundbreaking shift in relations between First Peoples and the Victorian government.

The bill followed almost a year of negotiations with the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria at the end of the Yoorrook truth-telling inquiry exposing mistreatment of Aboriginal people since colonisation.

Yoorrook called for redress for post-colonisation pain and suffering through restitution of traditional land, monetary compensation, tax relief or other financial benefits.

Premier Jacinta Allan said at the time the treaty created a living partnership with the world's oldest continuing culture.

"Today is a recognition that ancient systems of law and the modern institutions of our democracy can stand side by side," she declared.

"But today also carries a deeper meaning; it is quite literally two worlds meeting in respect and in partnership."

Coalition vows to scrap treaty framework and abandon the signed agreement

However, as Victorians prepare to head to the polls, the treaty's future is unclear.

Opposition Leader Jess Wilson and shadow Aboriginal affairs minister Melina Bath have vowed to scrap the treaty framework and abandon the signed agreement if they win office.

They plan to replace the independent representative body Gellung Warl with First Nations Victoria - a new government department overseen by a single minister and a separate advisory body that would work directly with Indigenous communities.

An opposition spokesperson told AAP on Wednesday a coalition government would introduce the legislation within its first 100 days.

"Labor's divisive treaty is a billion-dollar bureaucracy that will not directly deliver better outcomes for Indigenous Victorians," they said.

Read full story

https://nit.com.au/18-10-2026/27024/election-clouds-future-of-historic-first-peoples-treaty

First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria
Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service - VALS
V***A - Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency
Kaley Nicholson
Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation Inc
Antoinette Braybrook
Reconciliation Victoria
Gabrielle Williams MP
Ingrid Stitt MP
ANTaR Victoria
Jess Wilson MP

15/10/2026

Community Question Time is coming to Werribee!

Got questions for the candidates running in the Werribee Electorate? Now’s your chance to ask them directly.

Before we hit the polls on 28 November to decide the next Victorian government, we're giving you the chance to ask the questions that matter to you.

Community Question Time (Werribee) will bring together state politicians and candidates across the political spectrum and Aboriginal leaders in the Werribee Electorate with one aim: answer your most pressing questions.

The panellists will join Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative CEO Simon Flagg on the panel, which will be moderated by Uncle Charles Pakana from Victorian Aboriginal News.

WHERE: Wunggurrwill Dhurrung Centre, Wyndham Vale
WHEN: Thursday, 12 November | 6pm–8.30pm
FREE event

Your voice matters. RSVP now via the link in our bio.

15/10/2026

07/10/2026

https://www.trybooking.com/au/event/1628094

(There are some free tickets for mob - Jill 0437 211 958)

Join Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders as they share their key issues for 2026 and beyond. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices...

07/10/2026

Ngarn Wa’ngal: Art of the gum tree
The Potter Museum of Art, Cnr of Swanston St and Masson Rd, Parkville
Opening Hours: Tuesday – Saturday, 11am – 5pm
Exhibition ends 21 November

Ngarn Wa’ngal: Art of the gum tree explores the eucalypt as a source of creative inspiration and traces its influence through Australian art history and in contemporary art practice.

06/10/2026

Moondani Balluk by Realm Studios
Located amid the brutalist buildings of a university campus in Melbourne’s west, a new garden with a deep cultural heritage aspect invites visitors to learn of First Nations’ past use of the site and how they use it today, while also conveying how it might be protected into the future.
https://architectureau.com/articles/moondani-balluk-by-realm-studios/?fbclid=IwY2xjawUxd_9leHRuA2FlbQIxMABwZG9mBWJyaWQRMXJUazh6M1c4QUk3RHB1dGdzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEel1WAXnh_oadnqJDKXm4yqCg4ZShuB1BRwi-kzR14b6zfr866tQpyiqL3h84_aem_XJ_B2Q3ZwXc2NMrpHAc41w

Located amid the brutalist buildings of a university campus in Melbourne’s west, a new garden with a deep cultural heritage aspect invites visitors to learn of First Nations’ past use of the site and how they use it today, while also conveying how it might be protected into the future.

06/10/2026

ORIGINS - Author talk with historian James Boyce, 6pm Fri 13 Nov, Footscray Library. Bookings NOW OPEN -

JAM! and the Footscray Library are excited to announce an In Conversation with James Boyce about his new book, ORIGINS …What: James Boyce will present some readings from his new book, ORIGINS. This will be followed by a conversation with Deakin Uni. Assoc Prof History Joanna Cruickshank and an aud...

05/10/2026

Victorian Aboriginal News