The Victorian Government and the Department of Justice and Community Safety acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the First Peoples and Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land and waterways upon which our lives depend.
We acknowledge and pay our respects to ancestors of this country, Elders, knowledge holders and leaders – past, present, and emerging. We extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are steeped in culture and lore having existed within Australia continuously for some 65,000 years.
We acknowledge the ongoing leadership of Aboriginal communities across Victoria in striving to build on these strengths to address inequalities and improve Aboriginal justice outcomes.
We acknowledge those who have, and continue to, work tirelessly to improve Aboriginal justice outcomes, and say our thanks to the many Aboriginal people that have helped to shape this Strategy – we have achieved a lot, but there is still so much to do. We also acknowledge the contribution of non-Aboriginal people to its development.