Statewide Treaty Bill passes in parliament’s upper house: Will it unite or divide Victoria? Take the poll below
Victorian Labor MPs and onlookers have erupted in celebration as the landmark Treaty Bill passed parliament’s upper house on Thursday night, in what is being hailed as a historic moment for Indigenous Australians.
Victoria has become the first state to pass legislation enabling a Treaty with Indigenous Australians.
Labor MPs and the public gallery erupted in celebration as the landmark Statewide Treaty Bill passed parliament’s upper house just after 8.45pm on Thursday.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags were hung from the gallery as MPs and onlookers burst into tears.
The legislation has been hailed a historic turning point that will improve outcomes in justice, health, education and cultural recognition for Indigenous Victorians.
It will establish the nation’s first Treaty, create a powerful Indigenous council, Gellung Warl, with oversight over government departments and agencies, and embed Indigenous “truth-telling” and a new curriculum into schools.
It will also mandate government departments consult on programs and policies affecting Indigenous people, require new legislation be assessed for treaty compatibility, and establish a new naming authority for geographical features.
Labor passed the bill with the support of the Greens, Legalise Cannabis and the Animal Justice party.
The Coalition, Libertarian MP David Limbrick, One Nation’s Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell, who is Indigenous, and Shooters, Fishers and Farmers party MP Jeff Bourman voted against the bill.
During debate on the bill the government came under fire for pushing ahead with Treaty despite 54 per cent of Victorians voting against the national Voice to parliament referendum in 2023.
But senior minister, Lizzie Blandthorn, said the referendum had no bearing on Treaty which the government had taken to two elections.
Victorian Aboriginal community Controlled Health Organisation chief, Dr Jill Gallagher, said the passing of the bill marked the beginning of a new chapter in Victoria.
“Treaty is not just about recognition – it’s about justice, healing and truth-telling. It’s about a future that we can all be proud of,” she said.
“Today we celebrate our elders past and present, our staunch leaders, and our young people who have not stopped fighting for a future where decisions about us are shaped by us and for us.
“I have long dreamt of being part of a society where all Victorians can celebrate and enjoy the many benefits that come with belonging to one of the world’s oldest living cultures. I believe Treaty will make that dream a reality.”
During debate on the bill, Indigenous Labor MP Sheena Watt described the Treaty bill as a historic moment in Victoria’s history.
“The path to treaty has been long,” she said.
“Our old people have been on the journey to treaty since the beginning of colonisation, having long been vocal in calling out the history of injustices and dispossession faced by First Peoples in this country.”
Ms Watt, who was visibly emotional even before the bill passed, said it was “the culmination of 10 years of leadership and hard work by this government, the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, the Treaty Authority and the Yoorrook Justice Commission as well as the advocacy of many staunch, deadly First Nations people who have fought for justice and recognition for mob over the decades”.
“For over 200 years in this place and many other halls of power like it, laws and policies have been made about my people without us,” he said.
“But today we change that. Today we create a new status quo, recognising that where past governments have tried and failed time and time again, it is time to try something new.
“We know that giving people a say on the issues that impact them leads to better outcomes for health and wellbeing, for housing security, for education and for so much more.
“For First Peoples, this is no different.
“We know from decades of failed policies and ineffective commissions and bodies that the best way to make a difference in the lives of First Nations people is by giving us the tools to take ownership over our own lives.
“That is how we close the gap.”
Over almost two decades the national Closing the Gap strategy, aimed at addressing Indigenous disadvantage, largely failed to meet its targets in areas including health, education, employment, and life expectancy.
First Peoples Assembly of Victoria co-Chair Rueben Berg said the Treaty recognised that Aboriginal people were the experts on their own lives.
“Through Treaty, we will have the ability to use our expertise to come up with and deliver practical solutions for our local communities, in areas like health, education, housing and justice,” he said.
“This will mean better outcomes for our people as we know what does and doesn’t work for us.”
Premier Jacinta Allan said the Treaty would give Aboriginal communities the power to shape the policies and services that affect their lives.
“This is how we build a fairer, stronger Victoria for everyone,” she said.
After the vote Liberal MP David Davis, the leader of the opposition in the upper house, slammed the celebration by those in attendance.
“The shocking, arrogant behaviour observed in the Chamber just now was outrageous,” he said.
“It’s a clear sign that this is set to become a major problem for Victoria.
“It will cost Victorians a bomb and block government as well as projects around the state.
“We all are aware of the huge Victorian state debt and Labor’s massive taxes, now this new Indigenous superstructure will bring the state to a standstill.”
The state Opposition has committed to repealing the legislation if elected to government next year.
Opposition Leader Brad Battin said he did not believe Treaty was the best way to close the gap and deliver better outcomes for Indigenous communities.
“If elected, we will introduce legislation repealing Treaty in the first 100 days of government,” he said.
“The Liberals and Nationals are committed to improving outcomes for Aboriginal Victorians and that’s why we will establish First Nations Victoria, a stand-alone statutory agency to deliver measurable progress on Closing the Gap targets.”
Originally published as Statewide Treaty Bill passes in parliament’s upper house: Will it unite or divide Victoria? Take the poll below
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