‘Not about me’: Victorian MP breaks down in parliament

A Labor MP has broken down in tears and apologised while debating a powerful bill in parliament.

Lily D'Ambrosio, Victorian Minister for Environment and Climate Change. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Victoria’s Environment Minister has broken down in parliament while speaking about the creation of a treaty with Indigenous people.

Lily D’Ambrosio put on the emotional display on Wednesday afternoon when addressing the lower house and the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, who were in attendance.

The Bill, which is expected to pass, will create an independent body which will oversee treaty negotiations with the state’s First Nations people.

Ms D’Ambrosio had to momentarily stop speaking during her address after breaking down in tears.

“I’m sorry, this was not about me,” she said.

“Of course, as I said earlier, we have moved beyond words. Action is absolutely what we need to deliver and I’m very pleased that it’s this government that’s doing that work.”

Ms D’Ambrosio went on to explain that while the Treaty was an important step, it needed to be followed by action to help relations between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Victorians.

“I hope everything you want it to be and everything you need it to be,” she told the First Peoples’ Assembly.

Lily D'Ambrosio gave an emotional address to parliament. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

“Ultimately, goodwill has to be the lining in which we proceed forward and that is what needs to make sure that is what ultimately drives us all to achieve the outcome that we need to achieve.

“There has been a significant amount of work to get us here today, but the trust is what we will all be measured by and ultimately what we deliver – and the process has to be linear.”

Co-chairs of the First Peoples’ Assembly, Marcus Stewart and Aunty Geraldine Atkinson, also addressed parliament on Wednesday morning.

Ms Atkinson gave an emotional speech which detailed the importance of having an independent body to oversee negotiations.

“Treaty needs to be done on our terms,” she said.

“We were driven from our lands, herded onto reserves; we’ve been unfairly targeted and discriminated against for generations.

“But you know what, we have survived. We have survived the concerted attempts to eradicate us and our culture.”

Premier Daniel Andrews with members of the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria.

Both Ms Atkinson’s and Mr Stewart’s speeches received standing ovations from parliament.

Opposition Leader Matthew Guy confirmed on Tuesday his party would join the government in supporting the Bill.

“Reconciliation is a topic that should be around uniting Australians … this is an important step,” he said.

Premier Daniel Andrews echoed the sentiment, calling the framework “really substantial arrangements”.

“They’re really important arrangements for the future; to have truth and justice and to have a treaty for First Nation Victorians,” he said.