Martang will no longer represent Djab Wurrung

THE chair of Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation has made public comment on the de-registration of Martang.

An Aboriginal Victoria spokesman previously said Djab Wurrung Traditional Owners would continue to be represented by Eastern Maar following the de-registration of Registered Aboriginal Party Martang earlier this month.

"The EMAC board will be considering our position in relation to reapplying for Registered Aboriginal Party status at our next board meeting," Jason Mifsud said.

EARLIER:

MARTANG, the Registered Aboriginal Party representing Djab Wurrung Traditional Owners in south-west Victoria, has been de-registered.

An Aboriginal Victoria spokesman said the de-registration was part of an automatic process.

It was effective as of August 1.

"Martang decided not to re-incorporate under the Commonwealth Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006, resulting in Martang's registration as a Registered Aboriginal Party being revoked by statute," he said.

"The requirement for RAPs to be incorporated under the CATSI Act was introduced in amendments to legislation in 2016, to provide greater consistency and accountability for RAPs.

"Djab Wurrung people continue to be represented in the area by the Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation - an inclusive and representative body, already established as a RAP in neighbouring areas.

"Eastern Maar has an inclusive board structure made up of the 12 relevant family groups, and represents the interests of thousands of Traditional Owners in this part of Victoria.

"Eastern Maar has also made an application under the Native Title Act 1993 over the subject land.

"The State is currently in negotiations with Eastern Maar for Native Title settlement under the Traditional Owner Settlement Act 2010."

The Aboriginal Heritage Council appointed Martang as a Registered Aboriginal Party in 2007, and the region that Martang covered ran from north of Langi Ghiran in a broad south-westerly direction via Ararat, Maroona to Mortlake and Penhurst.

The Ararat Advertiser understands that the party's de-registration will have no impact on its previous agreement with Major Road Projects Victoria to preserve 15 trees along the Western Highway duplication project between Buangor and Ararat, and it has no impact on any statutory decisions made by the party while it was registered.

The Cultural Heritage Management Plan for the upgrade was approved by Martang Pty Ltd as the Registered Aboriginal Party in October 2013 and includes measures for the protection and respectful management of 21 Aboriginal heritage places.

Eastern Maar did not respond to requests for comment.

There are now 11 Registered Aboriginal Parties in Victoria.

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