Victoria Leads Australia on Path to Treaty with First Peoples

Today is a day for Victoria and for Australia to be divided. After a journey spanning nearly a decade, Victoria is set to become the first state in the country to introduce a treaty to its parliament. This landmark legislation is a critical step towards a new relationship between the Victorian government and the state's First Peoples, one built on respect, integrity, and self-determination.

For generations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have advocated for a treaty. It is a fundamental shift away from a history of paternalistic policies and towards genuine partnership. The proposed treaty bill, which follows a period of intense negotiation between the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria and the government, aims to "reckon with the past" and empower Victoria's First Peoples to build a better future.

What's in the Bill?

The legislation is the culmination of years of consultation and the work of groundbreaking initiatives like the Yoorrook Justice Commission, Australia's first truth-telling commission. While the final details of the treaty itself will be negotiated over time, the bill sets out the framework and creates the necessary mechanisms to make it happen. Key elements include:

• A Permanent, Empowered First Peoples' Assembly: The bill would make the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria a permanent, statutory body with expanded responsibilities. This democratically elected body would serve as the primary representative for Aboriginal Victorians, ensuring their voices are at the table for laws and policies that affect them.

• A Commitment to Truth-Telling: The treaty process is fundamentally linked to truth-telling. The bill aims to embed the history of colonisation and the findings of the Yoorrook Justice Commission into the public school curriculum, ensuring all Victorians learn about the past.

• Restoring Names and Cultural Recognition: The legislation includes provisions to restore traditional names to geographical features, such as state and national parks and waterways, and to rename places with names deemed offensive. It’s a powerful step towards acknowledging the enduring connection of First Peoples to their Country.

• Self-Determination and Decision-Making Power: At its core, the treaty is about self-determination. It recognizes that First Peoples are the experts on their own communities and cultures. The bill would grant the Assembly the ability to make its own decisions and rules on certain matters and to manage a First Peoples' Infrastructure Fund.

A Long and Winding Road

The path to this day has been a long one, marked by tireless advocacy from First Peoples and their allies. It began with an initial commitment to a treaty process in 2016 and has seen the establishment of the Treaty Authority—an independent umpire for negotiations—and the Yoorrook Justice Commission. This bill is the next crucial step.

It is important to note that this statewide treaty is just the beginning. The framework allows for local treaties to be negotiated between Traditional Owner groups and the state, ensuring that the unique needs and aspirations of individual communities are met.

As this historic bill is debated in parliament, it is a moment for all Victorians to reflect on our shared history and consider the kind of future we want to build. This legislation is an opportunity to forge a new relationship, one that moves beyond the injustices of the past and creates a more equitable and respectful society for all.

The 2023 referendum Australia had overwhelmingly rejected a plan to give greater political rights to Indigenous people in a referendum. All six states voted No 

Australia's 2023 referendum on establishing a First Nations Voice to Parliament resulted in a "No" vote, with 60.06% of Australians voting against the proposal to constitutionally recognize Indigenous Australians and create the advisory body. The proposal, which sought to address a historical imbalance and give First Nations people a say in matters affecting them, failed to gain the necessary support in the national vote.