Education and Training Reform Act 2006

The Parliament recognises that Aboriginal people are the First Nations people of Australia and acknowledges their enduring connection to Country, kin, land and culture.

The Parliament acknowledges that—

Aboriginal people are a distinct and diverse demographic group within the early childhood education, school education, vocational education and training and adult, community and further education system who have—

rich and varied histories, cultures, identities and perspectives; and

a unique status and unique rights and experiences; and

Aboriginal people have a history of practising education on the land now known as Victoria for more than 60 000 years; and

Aboriginal communities regard education to be of the highest priority to improve life outcomes for Aboriginal people; and

since colonisation, generations of Aboriginal leaders have advocated for better education opportunities for their children and young people; and

wrongs perpetrated through the early childhood education, school education, vocational education and training and adult, community and further education system including cultural dislocation, oppression, intergenerational trauma, lack of healing, systemic racism, institutional inequality and the loss of land, Lore and language continue to harm Aboriginal people in Victoria today; and

the lack of access to culturally safe and inclusive learning environments continues to impact the education and life outcomes of Aboriginal people.

The Parliament further recognises the strength of Aboriginal people, cultures, kinship and communities in the face of historical and ongoing injustices.

The Parliament further recognises the essential role of Aboriginal community controlled organisations in supporting the learning and wellbeing needs of Aboriginal people in the early childhood education, school education, vocational education and training and adult, community and further education system.

It is the intention of the Parliament that the early childhood education, school education, vocational education and training and adult, community and further education system must recognise, value, respect and support the distinct cultural rights of Aboriginal people and their right to receive culturally safe education throughout Victoria.