Victoria passes Australia’s first treaty with First Peoples ^{CEFR B1}

The State Parliament of Victoria has passed Australia’s first formal treaty with Indigenous First Peoples after ten years of work with traditional owners. The legislation is part of efforts to close gaps in health, education and housing. It establishes an infrastructure fund and three main bodies to give First Peoples greater control over projects that affect their communities.

The three bodies named by the law are Gellung Warla (the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria as a permanent representative body), Nyerna Yoorrook Telkuna (a truth‑telling body that will also put truth‑telling into the school curriculum) and Nginma Ngainga Wara (an accountability body). First Peoples’ Assembly Co-Chairs Rueben Berg and Ngarra Murray spoke after the vote, saying treaty recognises that Aboriginal people are experts on their Country, culture and communities and will help deliver practical solutions.

Public reaction was mixed. Many people and campaigners welcomed the law and started petitions, while critics said it would be racially divisive and conflicted with the 2023 Federal Voice referendum result, which was rejected after more than 60 percent voted no. Margaret Chambers of the Institute of Public Affairs said the treaty would “function as a Voice on steroids, creating a separate and parallel parliament based on race” and would transform democracy into “a two-tier system based solely on ancestry.” Conservative politicians opposed the law, and the official Treaty website clarified it will not change constitutions, create a third chamber, change tax laws, or provide individual financial reparations.