Victoria became the first Australian jurisdiction to pass treaty legislation with Indigenous peoples when the Legislative Council voted 21 to 16 in favor of the Statewide Treaty Bill on Thursday evening, creating a binding agreement between the government and First Peoples.</span

Daily Mail

Parliament of Victoria

Victoria became the first Australian jurisdiction to pass treaty legislation with Indigenous peoples when the Legislative Council voted 21 to 16 in favor of the Statewide Treaty Bill on Thursday evening, creating a binding agreement between the government and First Peoples.

The legislation establishes Gellung Warl, a new Aboriginal governance structure that includes the First Peoples Assembly as a permanent representative body, a truth-telling commission and an accountability body to monitor government performance on Indigenous outcomes.</span

abc.net.au

The Sydney Morning Herald

The legislation establishes Gellung Warl, a new Aboriginal governance structure that includes the First Peoples Assembly as a permanent representative body, a truth-telling commission and an accountability body to monitor government performance on Indigenous outcomes.

Under the treaty framework, government ministers and departments must consult with the First Peoples Assembly on laws and policies affecting Indigenous communities, though the assembly will not possess veto powers over government decisions.</span

Guardian

Under the treaty framework, government ministers and departments must consult with the First Peoples Assembly on laws and policies affecting Indigenous communities, though the assembly will not possess veto powers over government decisions.

The treaty requires development of a truth-telling school curriculum for students and mandates a formal government apology to First Peoples, while establishing processes for greater use of traditional place names across Victoria.</span

The treaty requires development of a truth-telling school curriculum for students and mandates a formal government apology to First Peoples, while establishing processes for greater use of traditional place names across Victoria.

Opposition critics argued the legislation would create a parallel governance system and undermine parliamentary sovereignty, with a survey showing only 37 percent of Victorians supported the treaty while 42 percent opposed the initiative.</span

Opposition critics argued the legislation would create a parallel governance system and undermine parliamentary sovereignty, with a survey showing only 37 percent of Victorians supported the treaty while 42 percent opposed the initiative.

The Liberal-National Coalition withdrew support for the treaty process after the failed 2023 Voice referendum and has pledged to repeal the legislation within 100 days if elected, proposing instead a new government department for Indigenous affairs.</span

The Liberal-National Coalition withdrew support for the treaty process after the failed 2023 Voice referendum and has pledged to repeal the legislation within 100 days if elected, proposing instead a new government department for Indigenous affairs.

Victoria Passes Australia's First Indigenous Treaty Law

StatewideVictoria TreatyPasses BillAustralia's passedFirst byIndigenous AustralianTreaty ParliamentLaw

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Victoria Passes Australia's First Indigenous Treaty Law

StatewideVictoria TreatyPasses BillAustralia's passedFirst byIndigenous AustralianTreaty ParliamentLaw

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