Victoria plans permanent state Voice to Parliament despite referendum rejection

The Victorian government plans to make the First Peoples’ Assembly a permanent, state-based Voice to Parliament despite a majority of Victorians voting against a similar national proposal in the 2023 referendum. The assembly, originally established for treaty negotiations, is expected to have expanded powers to advise on laws and policies affecting Indigenous people, including health, education, and crime, though specific powers remain unclear. Premier Jacinta Allan supports the move, emphasizing the importance of Indigenous voices in policymaking, while critics argue it disregards the democratic will expressed in the referendum. Opponents claim the move creates a racially based political system separate from the Victorian Parliament and accuse the government of ignoring voter sentiment. Indigenous leaders are divided, with some defending the need for Indigenous representation and accountability, while others, like national No campaign leader Warren Mundine, criticize the government for disregarding the vote. The government also plans to establish a watchdog to monitor Indigenous program spending and progress on Closing the Gap targets.