Victorian Current Acts

PUBLIC HEALTH AND WELLBEING ACT 2008 - SECT 3B

    (1)     The Parliament recognises that Aboriginal people in Victoria are First Nations people of Australia and acknowledges their enduring connection to Country, kin, land and culture.

    (2)     The Parliament acknowledges the following—

        (a)     that Aboriginal self-determination serves as a foundational principle to improve health and wellbeing outcomes of Aboriginal people in Victoria;

        (b)     the lasting impact of laws, practices and policies on the health and wellbeing outcomes of Aboriginal people since colonisation and enduring to this day;

        (c)     cultural dislocation, oppression, intergenerational trauma, lack of healing, systemic racism, institutionalised inequality and the loss of land, lore and language continue to harm the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people in Victoria today;

        (d)     the strength of Aboriginal people, culture, kinship and communities in the face of historical and ongoing injustices;

        (e)     Aboriginal people's ongoing connection to culture, community and Country and the importance of this connection for the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people in Victoria.

    (3)     It is the intention of Parliament that the health sector recognises, respects and supports the distinct cultural rights of Aboriginal people and their right to receive culturally-safe holistic health care throughout Victoria.

    (4)     The Parliament supports initiatives which address the ongoing health inequalities experienced by Aboriginal people in Victoria.

    (5)     The Parliament recognises the essential role of Aboriginal community controlled health organisations in meeting the health, wellbeing and care needs of Aboriginal people in Victoria.

    (6)     The Parliament supports the development of future reforms which further Aboriginal self‑determination within health services in Victoria.

S. 3C inserted by No. 17/2023 s. 61.

        3C         Acknowledgement of treaty process

The Parliament acknowledges Victoria's treaty process and the aspiration of Aboriginal people to achieve increased autonomy, Aboriginal decision-making and control of planning, funding and administration of services for Aboriginal people, including through self-determined Aboriginal representative bodies established through treaty.

S. 3D inserted by No. 17/2023 s. 61.