No change to treaty position under new Nationals leader Danny O’Brien

Incoming Victorian Nationals leader Danny O’Brien says an Indigenous treaty won’t be one of his policy tweaks in taking over from Peter Walsh.

Incoming Victorian Nationals leader Danny O’Brien has indicated he does not endorse an ­Indigenous treaty, leaving the party’s position unchanged in the wake of Peter Walsh’s decision to step down after a decade in the top job.

The member for Gippsland South will take the reins from Mr Walsh, 70, and has vowed to put the interests of regional ­Victorians first, as he criticised the “terrible” Labor government for being “very city-centric”.

Mr O’Brien, who was elected unopposed on Monday night, signalled there wouldn’t be any major policy changes under his leadership.

“The focus of the Nationals has always been on the people of rural and regional Victoria, and it will remain ­exactly that,” Mr O’Brien said on Tuesday.

“There may be little tweaks between the way Walshy did things and the way I do things, but absolutely we will continue to make sure that whatever we are doing is in the best interests of rural and regional Victoria,” Mr O’Brien said.

Asked whether there had be any changes to the party’s stance on an Indigenous treaty, he replied with a firm “no”.

“We’re opposed to treaty and nothing’s changing on that,” he declared.

Mr Walsh has been outspoken against treaty since the start of the year when he announced a policy reversal that he did not support the treaty ­process.

It comes as negotiations for a statewide treaty have begun between the state government and the First People’s Assembly of Victoria.

Incoming Victorian Nationals leader Danny O'Brien.

Mr Walsh will vacate his role as opposition Aboriginal affairs spokesman but will continue to serve as the member for Murray Plains on the backbench.

The incoming Nationals leader listed the cost of living, energy policies, health and roads as ­issues most on the minds of Victorians and which will be pursued by the state Nationals.

“There are opportunities for us (at the next state election) and we need to make sure we are ­focused (on) winning seats from the Labor government,” Mr O’Brien said.

“There’s a couple obvious seats of course, Ripon … some of the Bendigo seats, Bass, seats that we’ve targeted in the past.”

Deputy Nationals leader Emma Kealy, who will continue in her role, said she had ­recommended her new leader for the job.

“I’ve always been interested (in being leader),” Ms Kealy said.

“You never go into something thinking that you’re going to be the top dog.

“But if you didn’t have ­ambition then you wouldn’t ­really be serious about the job,” Mr O’Brien.

Premier Jacinta Allan said she would welcome Mr O’Brien to sit down with her to talk about treaty.

“He can explain (his stance) to the Indigenous Victorians who live in Victoria why he is continuing down that path,” Ms Allan said.

“He’s got an opportunity, he’s got a great opportunity … to come and talk with us, to understand why when you have treaty you get better outcomes.”

Victorian Opposition Leader John Pesutto with outgoing Nationals leader Peter Walsh. Picture: Nicki Connolly/NewsWire

Mr Walsh had served as Nat­ionals leader since 2014 and joined parliament in 2002 as the member for Swan Hill.

Federal Nationals leader David Littleproud paid tribute to his outgoing state counterpart, saying he was leaving a legacy “to be proud of”.

“Mr Walsh has fought relentlessly against water buybacks in the Murray-Darling Basin and against Labor’s anti-farming agenda,” Mr Littleproud said.

“Above all, Mr Walsh is someone I call a mate, and he has been a pleasure to work with,” he added.

The next Victorian election is due to be held on November 28, 2026.