Self-Determination
Victoria Police is committed to Self-Determination as a guiding principle for organisational Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander inclusion.
This means:
- realising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ aspirations for change
- valuing, promoting and requiring greater involvement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees and communities in decision-making, program design and service delivery, and
- demonstrating the highest level of support and advocacy by our leadership.
A key action in this plan is to implement Self-Determination in our internal workforce decision-making.
In undertaking this work we will be guided by, and will apply, the Victorian Aboriginal Affairs Framework Self-Determination framework.
This work will be led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees and supported by influential leaders of the organisation.
Continuum towards Aboriginal Self-Determination
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employee-led Self-Determination creates the strongest foundation to close the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal outcomes.
There are clear reasons why embedding Self-Determination is the most sustainable strategy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ wellbeing:
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people hold the knowledge and expertise about what is best for themselves, their families and their communities. Local and international evidence shows us that Self-Determination is the key policy approach that has produced effective and sustainable outcomes for Indigenous peoples.
- Aboriginal Victorians have consistently and long called for Self-Determination as the key enabler for Aboriginal people, families and communities to thrive.
- Australia is a signatory to international law instruments, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), that affirm the right to Self-Determination for Indigenous peoples.
The way government enables Self-Determination will continue to evolve over time, based on changing community expectations and needs. However, community has identified four Self-Determination enablers:
- Prioritise culture
- Address trauma and support healing
- Address racism and promote cultural safety
- Transfer power and resources to communities.1
The principle of Aboriginal Self-Determination is a continuum ranging from informing community through to transferring decision-making control.
- Inform
- Consult
- Collaborate
- Partnership
- Co-ownership
- Decision-making and resources control.
Intersectionality
Being Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander is only one aspect of a person’s identity.
Each Aboriginal person has their own:
- gender identity
- sex characteristics
- sexual orientation
- language
- colour
- faith
- ability
- age
- mental health
- socioeconomic status
- housing status, or
- geographic location.
Aboriginal people who live with other forms of discrimination can experience compounded inequality.
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