THE Victorian Department of Premier and Cabinet has responded to recent concerns surrounding a secret deal with 10 Victorian local government councils including Southern Grampians Shire with an Indigenous council, saying it would have “no impact on current council laws and regulations”.

The department said the Recognition and Settlement Agreement (RSA) was not directly with the councils and only placed the State Government in a position of obligation to traditional owners in respect of aspirational goals including a Local Government Engagement Strategy.