Victorian Labor Begins Negotiations on Official Treaty With Indigenous Representatives

The Victorian Labor government has begun negotiations with Indigenous representatives on an official Treaty, which could broaden the powers of the Indigenous Assembly.
Negotiations began on Nov. 21 on “Wurundjeri Country” in Victoria and is the final step in an eight year process.
Since 2019, the Indigenous First People’s Assembly have engaged with communities across the state.
Hutchins called it a historic day for the state and the nation.
“Treaty will be a practical agreement and a chance for all of us to build a more equitable and inclusive Victoria, which we can all take pride in.”
First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria Co-Chair Ngarra Murray said Indigenous culture would play a big part in the Treaty.
“Through this shared journey to Treaty, we’ll be looking to make sure Aboriginal communities can use local knowledge to come up with practical solutions at a local level,” said Murray.
“We obviously have taken a position in recent months that we don’t support a treaty,” Pesutto told reporters, who was not in parliament when the 2022 decision was made.
The opposition leader called for clarity regarding what taxpayers and voters would be liable for.
Elections for the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria in 2019 and 2023 allowed Aboriginal communities to choose their negotiators.
The Assembly’s first term focused on gathering community input on negotiation processes, while its second term prioritised what the Treaty should deliver.
Key milestones include establishing a Self-Determination Fund, a Treaty Authority to oversee negotiations, and the Yoorrook Truth-Telling Process to address the impacts of colonisation.