Victorian Government Introduces Australia's First Indigenous Treaty Bill

Victoria has introduced a historic Treaty Bill aimed at empowering First Peoples with decision-making authority over their lives and establishing a permanent Indigenous representative body, Gellung Warl, with expanded powers including funding and renaming offensive geographical features. The bill, the culmination of decades of activism and nearly a decade of negotiation, marks the beginning of a new 'Treaty era,' according to Indigenous leaders and government officials. Gellung Warl will also include a truth-telling body and an accountability body to monitor government commitments to closing the gap in social, economic, and health outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Victorians. Despite broad support from Traditional Owners and Indigenous organizations, the state Opposition, including the Liberal and National parties, has pledged to vote against the bill, citing concerns about its interaction with existing native title legislation, funding, and the potential for division through race-based distinctions. Premier Jacinta Allan and Treaty Minister Natalie Hutchins argue that previous government policies have failed and that involving First Peoples in designing and delivering programs leads to better outcomes. The legislation is set to pass despite opposition, reflecting a significant shift toward Indigenous self-determination in Victoria.