The comment period has now closed.
Who is applying for a Reserved Seat?
Bidwell Maap Aboriginal Corporation (BMAC) in the south-east of Victoria has made an application for an Additional Reserved Seat, which the members of the Assembly have decided should be opened for public comment.
Interested parties have until 5pm Monday March 16 to provide a comment in support of or objecting to the Bidwell Maap application, by completing the form below.
Please refer to the Guidelines for Comments for further information about the current application criteria and further information.
To speak to someone, interested parties can contact the Additional Pathway Coordinator Declan Kelly on [email protected].
Background to the Additional Pathway Process
The First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria Ltd (Assembly) is currently the democratically elected Aboriginal Representative Body in Victoria made up of 34 members. Under the Statewide Treaty Act 2025 (Vic) negotiated between the Assembly and the Victorian Government in 2025, Gellung Warl will be established as the new Aboriginal Representative Body on 1 May 2026.
This is an exciting time for the advancing of rights and self-determination for First Peoples across Victoria as the Assembly transitions between the current Assembly and Gellung Warl.
The Assembly developed the Additional Pathway process to enable Traditional Owner groups to have a representative on the First Peoples’ Assembly regardless of whether they are recognised under state or federal legislation.
The decision to grant a reserved seat is made by the Assembly Chamber based on whether the applicant group meets the Additional Traditional Owner Group criteria. If the applicant meets the criteria, they can appoint a Reserved Seat Member.
Due to the transition, a final decision on the Bidwell Maap application cannot be made until Gellung Warl is established and the new Assembly Members within Gellung Warl have had the opportunity to consider the application and the public comments.
The Public Comment period is a step in the application process which ensures community can have their voice heard by making a comment supporting or objecting to an application for a new reserved seat. This information will then be provided to Gellung Warl.
If you have any questions please contact [email protected].
Background and details on the application
On 13 October 2025, the Bidwell Maap Aboriginal Corporation (ICN 7470) submitted an application for a reserved seat on the Assembly.
The application includes information relating to a meeting BMAC held on 17 October 2025 where motions were passed endorsing the application to the Assembly for a reserved seat.
Application Area:
Bidwell country is to the East of the Snowy River, and bounded by the sea to the south, and East of the Murray River in the North. Gunai/Kurnai, Monero-Ngarigo, Dhudhuroa, Jaithmathang and Yuin are our neighbors.
Please see the map at the end of this notice for a more exact picture of the application area.
Making a comment
You can make a comment supporting or objecting to the application.
Please note: you will not have access to the full details and evidence submitted by the applicant group.
Requirements
A comment must:
- give the reasons for supporting or objecting to the application and
- in the case of an objection, explain how a decision to grant a new reserved seat to the applicant group would have a negative impact on you.
The Assembly will not consider any parts of a comment that are defamatory, offensive, trivial or vexatious. Cultural safety is paramount and lateral violence will not be tolerated.
Who can make a comment?
Any interested party can comment in support of or objecting to the application. This includes individuals, organisations and family groups.
If an organisation is making a comment, the person lodging the comment should demonstrate their authority to speak on behalf of the organisation.
If a family group is making a comment, the person lodging the comment must demonstrate authority to speak on behalf of the family group, for example, by nominating an Elder of that group to support the comment.
What information may be shared?
Your personal information is collected and shared in accordance with the Assembly’s Privacy Policy, the privacy statement on the Comment Form (see below), and the Statewide Treaty Act 2025 (Vic).
The Assembly is collecting your information for the purpose of contacting you if there is anything further to discuss, for preparing responses, and compiling BMAC’s application for further consideration by the current Assembly and Gellung Warl.
The Assembly will share your information with BMAC, and with Gellung Warl when it becomes the new Aboriginal Representative Body on 1 May 2026.
The Comment Form will prompt you on what personal information you consent to share.
How can comments be made?
You will have until 5pm Monday 16 March 2026 to submit a comment by completing the Comment Form.
Objecting parties will also be given the opportunity to attend a face-to-face or virtual meeting to explain their objection.
