Historic Milestone: Victoria Enacts Australia's First Treaty with Aboriginal Peoples

Share and Follow

The signing of Australia’s first treaty with Aboriginal people has been hailed as a historic moment and just the beginning of hard work still to come.

That’s according to Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, who described finalising a Statewide Treaty Agreement as the start of a new chapter in Victoria’s story and something once thought impossible.

Allan and First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria co-chairs Ngarra Murray and Rueben Berg signed the agreement at a formal ceremony at Government House on Thursday morning.

The legislation was officially sanctioned by Governor Margaret Gardner, marking a significant milestone.

This treaty extends its reach across the entire state, while simultaneously empowering local communities to forge their own agreements.

Under the bill, the state’s Indigenous representative body has been granted expanded powers and acts as a voice to parliament which the government must consult on laws and policies affecting Aboriginal Victorians.

The body, elected by Aboriginal people in Victoria, is independent from government and will operate out of a dedicated room at Parliament House.

“Today symbolizes more than just an agreement; it represents the coming together of two worlds through mutual respect and collaboration,” expressed a spokesperson.

Allan said the treaty created a partnership of the oldest continuing culture in the world with modern institutions.

“Today is a recognition that ancient systems of law and the modern institutions of our democracy can stand side by side,” Allan told a crowd at Government House.

“We are committed to fulfilling the promises outlined in this initiative,” they assured.

This development follows a year-long negotiation between the government and the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, prompted by a truth-telling inquiry that uncovered historical injustices faced by Aboriginal communities since colonization.

Berg thanked people who had advocated for treaty “across generations” and said Victoria now sat equal among other Commonwealth jurisdictions internationally that already had agreements in place.

“Words are cheap, but these words now in a treaty in legislation, these words cannot disappear,” he said.

“We will make sure that we deliver on these promises that are set out in this process.”

Gardner said the treaty was an expression of the democratic will of Victorian people and a historic achievement of modern parliamentary democracy.

Cheers rang out in the state parliament as the legislation formally passed the upper house late last month.

It came after about a year of negotiations between the government and First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria following a truth-telling inquiry exposing the mistreatment of Aboriginal people since colonisation.

State coalition opposes treaty

Victoria’s coalition opposition does not support the treaty and vowed to repeal it if it wins government at the next state election in November 2026.

Nationals MP and opposition spokeswoman for Aboriginal affairs Melina Bath said the coalition instead favoured the creation of a standalone body overseen by a minister.

“The legislation speaks about closing the gap twice,” Bath said.

“The Liberals and Nationals focus needs to be on supporting those Victorians, our Victorians, our First Nations people to close the gap and bring a better outcome for indigenous people.”

A public celebration marking the treaty’s signing is due to be held in December.