The signing of Australia’s first treaty with the Aboriginal people is being hailed as a historic moment and just the beginning of the hard work yet to come.
That’s according to Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, who described finalizing a state-wide treaty deal as the beginning 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.
It then received royal assent from the state’s governor, Margaret Gardner.
What does the bill do?
Under the bill, the state’s Indigenous representative body has been given sweeping powers and acts as a voice for Parliament, which must consult the government on laws and policies affecting Aboriginal Victorians.
The body, elected by Victoria’s Aboriginal people, is independent of the government and will operate from a special room in Parliament House.
The compact applies to the entire state, but also allows local groups to negotiate their own agreements.
Allan said the treaty created a partnership of the world’s oldest surviving culture with modern institutions.
“Today is a recognition that ancient legal systems and the modern institutions of our democracy can stand side by side,” Allan told a crowd at Government House.
“But today also has a deeper meaning: it is literally two worlds meeting in respect and in partnership.”
‘These words cannot disappear’
Berg thanked people who had advocated for a treaty “from generation to generation” and said Victoria was now internationally equivalent to other Commonwealth jurisdictions that had already concluded agreements.
“Words are cheap, but these words are now enshrined in a treaty and cannot disappear,” he said.
“We will ensure we deliver on the commitments set out in this process.”
Gardner said the treaty was an expression of the democratic will of the Victorian people and a historic achievement of modern parliamentary democracy.
There were cheers in the state parliament when the legislation was formally passed by the House of Lords late last month.
It came after about a year of negotiations between the government and the First Assembly of Victoria, following a truth-inquiry that exposed mistreatment of Aboriginal people since colonization.
State coalition is against treaty
The opposition Victoria Coalition does not support the treaty and has pledged to withdraw it if it wins government at the next state election in November 2026.
National MP and opposition spokeswoman for Aboriginal Affairs Melina Bath said the coalition was instead in favor of creating an independent body overseen by a minister.
“The legislation talks about closing the gap twice,” Bath said.
“The focus of the Liberals and Nationals must be on supporting those Victorians, our Victorians, our First Nations people to close the gap and deliver a better outcome for Indigenous people.”
A public celebration will take place in December to mark the signing of the treaty.
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