Environment Victoria has strongly welcomed the Yoorrook Justice Commission’s landmark final report, supporting calls for water rights to be on the table for future Traditional Owner Treaties, while embedding climate justice and renewable energy strategies for First Nations in Victoria’s energy transition.
Environment Victoria Rivers and Nature Campaign Manager Greg Foyster said:
“First Peoples are the original owners of water in every river, stream, lake and creek – but they currently hold less than 0.2% of water entitlements in Victoria.
“Water corporations and big institutional investors have sucked our rivers dry for profit while raking in billions, but the Victorian Water Minister has admitted none of that wealth has been passed on to Traditional Owners.
“The report also overturns the myth of aqua nullius, meaning ‘nobody’s water’. First Peoples already had ownership over water when the British invaded, which means they are the original rights holders and should be first in line for newly available or unallocated water – a good first step that won’t affect existing entitlements.
“Every First Nation has different aspirations for water and these need to be respected. The Victorian Government has taken the first step and listened, but now it needs to walk the talk with real progress through Traditional Owner Treaties.
“This could mean applying United Nations standards for the rights of Indigenous peoples, funding restoration works or supporting the purchase of water for cultural flows.
“Ultimately these decisions are up to First Nations themselves through the Treaty process, but it’s crucial that there’s an overall increase in funding to protect and restore Country.”
Environment Victoria Senior Climate & Energy Advisor Dr Kat Lucas-Healey said:
“At the heart of the Yoorrook Justice Commission’s report is a vision to care for Country in perpetuity. The renewable energy transition underway in Victoria is of direct relevance to First Nations and can drive a new wave of self-determination.
“A First Peoples’ Renewable Energy Strategy that recognises the rights of Traditional Owner groups to self-determination and provides the resources necessary to participate is essential for a fair transition to clean, renewable energy.
“First Nations did not cause climate change, but with responsibilities to Country and generations of economic exclusion, First Nations bear an unequal share of the consequences. A self-determined Climate Justice Strategy for climate change mitigation, adaptation and response will help correct that imbalance.”
“Australia’s mining industry has a shameful track record of exploiting and extracting resources from nature, then leaving behind a toxic legacy. Traditional Owners, on the other hand, have ongoing responsibilities to Country and need to be central to rehabilitation with land returned into their custody.
“Mining companies are good at appropriating and exhausting resources from nature, but precious little attention is paid to what happens to the land and water after they are gone. There are opportunities to involve Traditional Owners in rehabilitation and return land back – as long as it doesn’t allow mining companies to wash their hands of their responsibilities.”