Treaty Assembly Wage Bill Sparks Controversy
Victorians are set to face a significant financial commitment with the revelation of the proposed wage structure for the newly formed Indigenous assembly, Gellung Warl. Established through Victoria’s treaty process, the assembly’s 33 elected members will command substantial salaries, drawing considerable attention and debate.
The co-chairs of Gellung Warl are slated to receive an eye-watering annual salary of $348,000. Regular elected representatives will also be well compensated, with their annual wages set at over $197,000. When combined, the total annual wage bill for all 33 members of the Gellung Warl assembly is projected to cost Victorian taxpayers a staggering $6 million. Adding to this, representatives undertaking higher duties will receive an additional $29,851 per year.
These salary figures, detailed in a document released ahead of the upcoming preselection period, represent a significant increase compared to the current remuneration for members of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria. The current assembly members receive $96,946 annually. It’s important to note that the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria will be dissolved once Gellung Warl assumes its responsibilities.
The newly established salary bands have been approved by a panel that included a representative from the Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal. These proposed wages are positioned just below the $211,972 earned by elected Victorian parliamentary members.
A key point of discussion revolves around the expected time commitment of Gellung Warl members. A recently released document indicates that while a full-time role is “expected,” the specific time commitment will be collectively decided by the members once they convene. This flexibility is attributed to “significant community and cultural expectations on members.”
The document further clarifies that Gellung Warl officials may pursue other employment opportunities concurrently, provided these do not conflict with government departments or elected officials. The precise nature of these other roles, whether paid or unpaid, and their frequency, will be determined by the assembly members themselves, potentially to accommodate community and cultural obligations.
A spokesperson for the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria has defended the proposed salaries, highlighting the critical nature of the roles in representing Indigenous Victorians and facilitating the treaty agreement’s implementation. They stated that the stipends were set by an Independent Remuneration Panel, adhering to best practice, and are comparable to those of a state Member of Parliament (MP). The spokesperson elaborated on the extensive responsibilities, which mirror those of state MPs, including:
- Making decisions and advocating on behalf of constituents.
- Participating in briefings and meetings.
- Attending community events.
- Engaging with and listening to community members.
- Building relationships with the broader Victorian community.
The spokesperson also pointed out that the initial terms of Gellung Warl will focus on establishing a comprehensive treaty-making process. They underscored the historical significance of the achievements to date, including the nation’s first official truth-telling process and the negotiation, signing, and parliamentary passage of Australia’s inaugural treaty.
The upcoming election to select the inaugural 33 members of Gellung Warl is scheduled to commence in April, with the assembly officially convening on May 1. More than 30,000 Indigenous Victorians are anticipated to be eligible to participate in this election.
The treaty process itself has incurred substantial costs, with an estimated $776 million spent since its inception in 2016. Gellung Warl is allocated an annual taxpayer funding of $70 million, a figure subject to regular review and expected to increase over time.
The treaty legislation, introduced by the Labor government in September last year, outlines several significant commitments. A key provision mandates that all Victorian students from prep to Year 10 will undertake ‘truth-telling’ education as part of their curriculum. This curriculum is designed to inform students about the historical establishment of the Victorian colony, emphasizing that it occurred without the consent, negotiation, or recognition of the traditional custodians of the land and waters.
Furthermore, the treaty may introduce potential restrictions on activities such as skiing and snowboarding in alpine regions, as well as hunting and fishing, if requested by Aboriginal groups. These proposals have been subjects of recent debate.
Under the treaty reforms, Gellung Warl is expected to play a role in the state’s ceremonial life, which could lead to an increase in Welcome to Country ceremonies. The assembly will also hold authority over the use of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags and other symbolic markers associated with the treaty.
A significant aspect of Gellung Warl’s mandate will be its empowerment to establish rules governing how Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations in Victoria issue certificates verifying an individual’s acceptance within their respective communities. Additionally, Gellung Warl will function as a ‘naming authority’ for geographical locations, including mountains, state parks, and rivers, thereby promoting the use of traditional and language-based place names.
