Our Roadmap

Process Unite is about working together to collectively respond to key political issues and discussions. Through strength in unity, Process Unite reaffirms the unified approach that founded the Girringun Aboriginal Corporation in 1996.

Stage One:
A United Approach
Target Year 2023-24

Through engagement and consultation with Traditional Owner groups, stage one will explore the coordination and facilitation of unity and how member tribes will work together as a collective unit.

This stage will include the formalisation of our commitment to building unity. Together we will decide:

How we want to work together into the future
How we could work together to negotiate STRONG treaties and native title compensation agreements
The best ways for Process Unite to support our approach over time
How Process Unite communicates effectively with us and how we can all support communications.

Stage One will include:

Extensive engagement with Common Law Holders and PBCs
Meetings on Country
Youth Forum

Senior Men’s and Women’s Gatherings
Formation of a Unity working group to coordinate input and communication flow with interested Traditional Owner groups.
Monthly Process Unite reporting to GAC board.
Shared updates to community

In order to Progress to Stage Two, Stage One will aim to:

Seek endorsement from Common Law Holders and PBC’s to consider a unified approach

Develop statements of commitment to develop formal agreements between member tribes. These could set out formal protocols about how we work together and how we respect each other.
Develop strategies to negotiate strong Treaties and Native Title Compensation Agreements
Develop a framework for an authorised negotiating team, for example – four representatives from each group (two female and two male), resulting in a 36-person team

By showing how we work together, we present a strong united body to enable better negotiation opportunities with the State. As a strong and united sub-regional voice Process Unite can support us to speak powerfully on national issues on behalf of our people and influence today’s political agenda.

Stage Two:
Negotiations with the State
Target Year 2025+

Through the formalisation of our commitment to one another, we can stand strong ready to negotiate on key political issues with the Queensland government.

Stage Two of the Roadmap commences with:

formation of an authorised negotiating committee to facilitate discussions and eventual negotiations with the Queensland Government on Native Title Compensation.

With formal statements of commitment between the nine members Traditional Owner groups, Process Unite will support the established committee to actively negotiate with the Queensland Government to ensure we negotiate with strength and maximise benefits for everyone.

As a united front we are stronger. Negotiating as a collective will ensure the best outcome for our people and ensure our Traditional Owners are treated equally. Stage two is an opportunity to establish our strong sub-regional voice and ensure that our Traditional Owners and member groups are part of the political conversation to drive change for future generations. It will give member groups the confidence and strength to advocate for change.

Stage Three:
Implementation
Target Year 2028+

Following successful negotiations between the Authorised committee and Queensland Government, Process Unite will support the implementation of agreed outcomes, relating to:

Treaty

Native Title Compensation

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions raised by Traditional Owners at community meetings and RNTBC meetings with Process Unite Responses. This list will be updated regularly.

Let us know if you have any questions not answered here.

Question

Process Unite Response

Resourcing

How will Stage 2 be resourced?

Stage 2 resourcing is unclear at this time but will likely include

Additional funding secured by Process Unite through philanthropic partners.
If negotiations include native title compensation, there are limited resources available through the department of Resources.

How would an authorised negotiating team would be supported to ensure they are able to do their jobs effectively? (including through relevant training and capacity building)

Process Unite is currently seeking additional funding to support enhancing governance arrangements for all member groups considering involvement.

This includes the establishment of Unity Working Group and Terms of Reference during Stage 1 to:

Establish a regular, supported communications channel between Process Unite and individual Traditional Owner groups.
Act as a leadership pathway as the initiative progresses.

Communications

How can GAC, the RNTBCs and Process Unite improve communications flow?

Process Unite and GAC are focusing on strategic communication approaches which include:

regular updates through social media including Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.
quarterly e-newsletters to all subscribers and GAC members.
board communiques.
targeted community engagement throughout all nine regions including morning teas and community meetings.

How can Process Unite support RNTBCs, Common Law Holders and Traditional Owners with their communications?

Process Unite is currently seeking additional funding resources to support communications. Other support may include:

Sharing of key information with Traditional Owner representative bodies.
Process Unite support for representative bodies funding applications which focus on communications e.g website/social media development.

More detail on how we negotiate as a collective

Would a ‘negotiating committee’ also have the capacity to negotiate specific arrangements for each individual Traditional Owner Group?

A negotiating committee would need to be supported to do both:

The negotiating committee would need to agree on overarching shared priorities for all Traditional Owners.
The committee would also need to be supported and resourced to negotiate on issues specific to their people, their traditional estate and their communities.

Will Process Unite proceed to Stage 2 even if not all member groups choose to particiapate?

Yes. Process Unite will proceed to Stage 2 with the Traditional Owner Groups who have decided to participate.

Participation is voluntary, and each Traditional Owner Group will need to make a decision about their involvement.

Phase 1 is about sharing information about the proposed approach, addressing concerns, and deciding on the best to move way forward together.
Process Unite is committed to listening and addressing issues to ensure there is an opportunity for all Traditional Owner Groups to participate.

How will the RNTBCs fit into this process?

Process Unite is engaging with Traditional Owners as broadly as possible during Stage 1.

Process Unite acknowledges that Girringun’s members are all Traditional Owners of the Bandjin, Djiru, Gugu Badhun, Gulngay, Jirrbal, Nywaigi, Warrgamay and Warungnu tribes.

Process Unite acknowledges that many of these Traditional Owners are common law holders where native title has been determined, they may also be members of their RNTBCs, or other representative bodies or corporate entites.

For matters relating to Treaty, Process Unite will continue to engage broadly.

For matters relating to native title compensation, RNTBCs must be involved under the Native title Act 1993 and the Native Title (Prescribed Bodies Corporate) Regulations 1999.

Request for a more detailed proposal which describes how a collective Treaty/native title process would work.

Process Unite is developing more detailed material for consultation including:

More detailed roadmap which will describe Stage 1 in more detail.
A consultation version of a Framework for collective negotiations including requirements to progress to Stage 2.

Unity Working Group

The proposal to establish a Unity Working group sounds good, however it would be good to discuss what the working group would do and how it would work.

Process Unite has developed a Terms of Reference for the Unity Working group which was adapted and committed to by UWG members representing each Traditional Owner Group.

Trusting the Government

The LNP Queensland government repealed the Path to Treaty legislation. What happens now?

The state government's decisions cannot stop us from continuing to developing treaties with each other to agree on how we want to work together into the future.

The repeal of the Path to Treaty legislation will not stop us.

For native title compensation, a precedent was set in the high court of Australia, it means that it can't be undone, and that compensation will proceed.

Relationship between Process Unite and Girringun Aboriginal Corporation

Is Process Unite separate to Girringun Aboriginal Corporation?

Process Unite is an initiative endorsed by and supported by Girringun Aboriginal Corporation’s Board of Directors.

Girringun Aboriginal Corporation supports and enables Process Unite.

However, Process Unite is a peoples initiative.

Ownership of Process Unite reaches far beyond Girringun Aboriginal Corporation. Process Unite belongs to the people, it belongs to Girringun’s Members.

Join the process

Now is our time to unite. Connect with us and join the process.