In a landmark moment for Australia, the state of Victoria has formally signed a pioneering treaty with its Aboriginal peoples, creating a new chapter in the nation's history. The agreement, the first of its kind in the country, was inked at a formal ceremony at Government House on Thursday morning.
The Treaty Signing and Its Immediate Impact
Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan joined First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria co-chairs Ngarra Murray and Rueben Berg to sign the historic document. The treaty then received royal assent from Governor Margaret Gardner, cementing its official status. A public celebration is scheduled for December 12, when the treaty officially commences.
However, the full implementation of the treaty's mechanisms will not be immediate. While it takes effect just before Christmas this year, the consultation process on legislation between the Assembly and the government is not scheduled to begin until approximately six months later, with full operation expected by mid-2026, just before the November state election.
Powers, Promises, and Limitations
The treaty grants expanded powers to the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, the state's Indigenous representative body. This independent body, elected by Aboriginal people in Victoria, will act as a voice to parliament that the government is obliged to consult on all laws and policies affecting Aboriginal Victorians.
The Assembly will operate from a dedicated room at Parliament House, symbolising its new status. It is crucial to note, however, that the body has no right to veto government decisions or to make laws. Specific changes under the treaty include involving the Assembly when geographic features are renamed using traditional names, creating a fund for construction projects, and integrating the report from the state's truth-telling inquiry into school curricula.
The treaty explicitly does not allow for individual financial reparations and is subject to the same integrity oversight as other non-government organisations.
A Pathway Forged, But Critics Voice Concerns
Premier Jacinta Allan hailed the treaty as a once-impossible achievement, stating it creates a partnership between "the oldest continuing culture in the world with modern institutions." Rueben Berg thanked those who had advocated for treaty "across generations," promising to deliver on the process's commitments.
Yet, the agreement faces significant scrutiny. Associate Professor Harry Hobbs from UNSW noted the treaty is not as legally significant as Native Title but is rather an incremental agreement that paves the way for more substantial, localised treaties in the future concerning land rights and governance.
Victoria's opposition does not support the treaty and has vowed to repeal it if it wins government. Nationals MP Melina Bath argued the focus should be on closing the gap for Indigenous outcomes. Indigenous leader and anti-Voice advocate Warren Mundine expressed concern that the statewide model would create a cumbersome bureaucracy, favouring instead treaties negotiated by individual traditional owner groups.
This treaty marks a historic step for Victoria, setting a precedent for Indigenous reconciliation in Australia, yet its long-term effectiveness and political future remain subjects of intense debate.
