Survey by Institute of Public Affairs reveals low number of Victorians support a Treaty with Indigenous Australians

The first survey of its kind on a Victorian Treaty with Indigenous Australians since the failed Voice referendum has revealed what people in the state feel about the plans.

Victorians remain divided on the state government’s Treaty agreement, with new polling ­revealing the controversial legislation lacks majority ­support.

Just 37 per cent of respondents back the Treaty, according to a survey commissioned by conservative think tank Institute of Public Affairs and conducted by independent ­researcher Fox & Hedgehog.

A further 42 per cent oppose the Treaty and 21 per cent ­remain undecided.

The survey, the first of its kind on the Treaty since the federal government’s failed Voice to Parliament referendum, found most Victorians had other priorities and were not keen on the move to create a separate Aboriginal body that will oversee all legislation affecting Indigenous people, from health to law and order.

Premier Jacinta Allan at the ceremonial opening of Treaty negotiations at Darebin Parklands in November 2024. Picture: Justin McManus.

When participants were provided with basic, factual information about the practical implications of a Treaty, opposition rose sharply to 61 per cent, with only 39 per cent in favour.

Those results are similar to the proportion of Victorians who voted No to the Voice to Parliament at the October 2023 referendum – where 54 per cent voted against and 46 per cent were in favour.

IPA research fellow Margaret Chambers said it was a clear sign that the Allan Labor government was ploughing ahead with costly policy that did not have the backing of most ­voters.

“Victorians have once again sent a clear message that they believe in equality and do not want their state to be permanently divided by race,” she said.

“As soon as Victorians learn about what the Treaty would mean in practice, as per the government’s own documents, support dramatically drops.”

The parliament is currently debating the “historic” Treaty legislation formed on agreement between the Allan government and the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria.

It will pave the way for a new Victorian Indigenous council – similar to the federal government’s failed Voice to Parliament – called Gellung Warl.

The parliament is debating the “historic” Treaty legislation formed on agreement between the Allan government and the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria. Picture: Justin McManus.

It will be made up of 33 representatives elected by Indigenous Victorians and be given more than $70m a year by ­taxpayers.

This component of the new law appears the most toxic to rank-and-file Victorians, with just 26 per cent supporting the body being independent from the direction or control of the state government, 51 per cent opposing, and 23 per cent ­unsure.

Opposition to Treaty spans nearly every demographic, with only those holding postgraduate university degrees showing favourability.

Even Labor voters were divided, with just 37 per cent backing the initiative and 39 per cent opposed.

Opposition to Treaty spans nearly every demographic. Picture: Justin McManus.

The Allan government says the Treaty makes sense. Picture: Justin McManus

Coalition voters are firmly against the proposal, with a resounding 79 per cent opposed and only 21 per cent in favour in the forced Yes/No question where no additional information was provided.

Treaty and First Peoples minister Natalie Hutchins slapped down the research.

“The IPA is a Liberal-aligned think tank with a clear agenda to oppose Treaty,” she said.

“Families are better off when they have responsibility over their lives and Aboriginal families are no different.

“Treaty makes sense because it gives Aboriginal people a say in how their services are run – it doesn’t take anything away from anyone, it’s about improving services and lives.”