The First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria is made up of Traditional Owners, elected by Aboriginal people in Victoria and Victorian Traditional Owners living outside the state. The Assembly works with the State of Victoria to prepare for Treaty negotiations.
If you’re an eligible VPS Aboriginal employee and are thinking about nominating to be on the Assembly then there are a few things to keep in mind.
If you want to nominate
As election to the Assembly is a paid position, you need approval to nominate.
People who can approve your nomination include your:
- manager
- human resources officers
- management representatives.
If you’ve already nominated
If you’ve already nominated for the Assembly, get approval from your manager as soon as possible.
You may be in breach of your professional obligations if you don’t get approval and take part in the Assembly.
Things to keep in mind
To take part in the Assembly, make sure you’re familiar with:
- the public sector values and employment principles
- the restrictions on other employment in section 32 of the Public Administration Act 2004
- your professional obligations as a public servant
- what it means to have a conflict of interest.
If you have questions
Get in touch at info@vpsc.vic.gov.au if you have questions about:
- the Conflict of Interest Guidance for Aboriginal Representative Body Members (DOCX, 66KB)
- managing a conflict of interest
- how this affects your staff.
Information about conflict of interest
What a conflict of interest is as a public servant
A conflict of interest is when you have private interests that are, or others could see as, an improper influence on your decisions or actions.
Check with your manager to assess conflicts of interest in the context of the Assembly.
How to assess a conflict of interest
You may have a conflict of interest if your private interests conflict with your public duties.
Check if you have a conflict of interest when you nominate for or are elected to the Assembly.
Once on the Assembly, you will need to check if you have a conflict of interest:
- when the Assembly identifies a new stream of work or subject matter to focus on
- before the Assembly engages with government
- when meeting agendas or materials are distributed.
How to manage a conflict of interest
If you have a conflict of interest, you must declare it using the Conflict of Interest Declaration and Management Form (DOCX, 45KB).
This forms tells you how to make a conflict of interest management plan with mitigation strategies.
Policies and legislation for this guide
We wrote this guide in-line with the: