Victoria has become the first state or territory to introduce a treaty bill to parliament.
Treaty legislation is expected to be formally tabled in state parliament today and, if passed, will enshrine the First Peoples’ Assembly under an authority known as Gellung Warl.
The assembly, which was was first created in 2019 to elect Indigenous people to negotiate a treaty on their behalf, will have the power to make rulings on matters which directly impact First Peoples communities in Victoria.
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Following the passage of the treaty in parliament, the assembly will be consulted by the state government on any laws or policies which impact First Peoples communities.
It will also lead “truth-telling and healing” across Victorian towns and regions.
A key part of the treaty will see Indigenous truth-telling embedded into the state’s school curriculum and the negotiation of an official apology to First Peoples in parliament.
Among the reforms in the treaty agreement will also be “increased opportunities for the use of traditional or language place names” in Victoria.
The historic state-wide treaty aims to “bring together First Peoples and the Victorian government to build a new relationship based on respect, trust and integrity”.
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“In Victoria, we have been on a long and steady path to Truth and Treaty for nearly a decade. We have passed legislation twice, developed policies, and made commitments across the government,” a joint statement from the Victorian government and First People’s Assembly of Victoria reads.
“We have taken the time required to lay strong foundations for Treaty, and this Bill represents a historical milestone in this journey.”
Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan described the treaty bill as “commonsense”.
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”We know already governments are spending huge amounts of money seeking to close the gap, but it’s not working,” she said.
“It puts into the law the changes that will give Aboriginal people a say about how services and programs that are for Aboriginal Victorians are run.”
The treaty is the first in Australia between a state government and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
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