Closing the gap to be key discussion point for Treaty negotiations in Victoria

Several big topics have emerged as the first points of discussion in Treaty negotiations between the Allan government and the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria.

Working towards closing the gap is one of the first points of focus for Treaty negotiations in Victoria. Picture: NewsWire / Justin McManus.

Working towards closing the gap is one of the first points of focus for Treaty negotiations in Victoria, it has been revealed.

After negotiations officially kicked off at the end of November 2024, the state is being urged to direct resources towards evolving the state’s Indigenous body to achieve better outcomes for local Indigenous communities.

On Tuesday, a joint statement from the Allan Government and the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria outlined the key topics that will be discussed — including how to legally recognise any terms that are agreed upon.

Negotiations officially kicked off at the end of November 2024. Picture: NewsWire / Justin McManus.

The statement also revealed the First Peoples’ Assembly body would be kept long term.

It will be evolved to include a watchdog-style committee in charge of overseeing spending Indigenous initiatives, and governance of Close the Gap policies moving forward.

However, one Indigenous source told the Herald Sun they thought the topics looked “wishy-washy”.

“It’s obviously an attempt to be more transparent,” they said, on the condition of anonymity.

“But we are not really sure what it all means at this point.”

As well as the preliminary topics listed in the document, it was flagged that “additional subject matters” will be on the table after a statewide Treaty is pinned down.

The state is negotiating with the Assembly first to agree on a statewide Treaty before individual treaties with local groups are started Picture: NewsWire / Justin McManus.

Roundtable talks between the state government and dozens of Indigenous groups kicked off officially on November 21 last year.

However, the state is negotiating with the Assembly first to agree on a statewide Treaty before individual treaties with local groups are started.

Ahead of the talks, facilitated by the Treaty Authority, sources told the Sunday Herald Sun that Indigenous groups have been increasingly fractured in what they want for the state as well as their individual groups.

It is widely acknowledged that groups will be asking for more control over policy, better education about the historical treatment of Indigenous people during colonisation, and some parcels of land with cultural value to be handed back to Indigenous groups.

Rueben Berg, Co-chair of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria said he was looking forward to negotiations “picking up where we left off” before the Christmas break.

“These negotiations are the best opportunity we’ve had to deliver practical solutions for Aboriginal communities across the state.

“Whether its caring for country and overseeing ongoing truth-telling and healing efforts, or helping to improve the way services like health, housing and education are delivered in our communities, we see Treaty as a practical way to get better outcomes.”

In response to the statement The Opposition’s Aboriginal Affairs spokesperson, Nationals MP Melina Bath said they “remain absolutely committed to closing the gap” but their position on treaty had not changed.

“The Liberals and Nationals believe there are alternate approaches that avoid division and race-based distinctions that will deliver real and positive outcomes for everyone,” she said.

Minister for Treaty and First Peoples Natalie Hutchins said: “We know that when we listen to Aboriginal people about the policies that directly affect them, we can make real, practical change.”

Originally published as Closing the gap to be key discussion point for Treaty negotiations in Victoria