Treaty could be in place in Victoria by next year

While negotiations are still being thrashed out with Indigenous groups, an Allan government minister has for the first time hinted at a deadline for the statewide treaty.

The Victorian government hopes to have a statewide treaty done and dusted by June next year, a parliamentary panel has been told.

Appearing before the Public Accounts and Estimates Committee on Thursday, Minister for Treaty and First Nations People Natalie Hutchins told the panel she “would like” to have the statewide treaty in place before the end of the 2025-26 financial year.

Minister for Treaty and First Nations People Natalie Hutchins addressed the panel on Thursday. Picture: Nadir Kinani

The statewide treaty could be done and dusted by June next year. Picture: AAP

It’s the first time that a deadline has been hinted by the state government after it officially opened negotiations last year.

Roundtable talks between the state government and dozens of Indigenous groups kicked off on November 21, but little information has been provided about the ongoing negations and what the state is willing to put on the table.

Ahead of the talks, facilitated by the Treaty Authority, sources revealed that negations were expected to be tense with Indigenous groups increasingly fractured in what they want for the state as well as their individual groups after the failed Federal Voice referendum.

The state’s budget revealed that meetings on a statewide Treaty had ramped up in 2024-25 with 58 negotiation rounds held, and a further 45 expected to be held in the upcoming financial year.

Last month, groups also revealed that they had started the process of negotiating individual treaty with the Victorian government.

The Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation (DJAARA) notified the Treaty Authority, the independent body overseeing negotiations, that it would begin sit-downs with the state imminently.

Premier Jacinta Allan has previously remained tight-lipped on what demands the government will consider as part of historic Treaty negotiations.

“I’m not going to rule things in or out. We will have those negotiations at the table,” she said in November.

Meetings on a statewide Treaty ramped up in 2024-25 with 58 negotiation rounds held. Picture: Justin McManus

Premier Jacinta Allan has been tight-lipped about the government’s demands in the Treaty negotiations. Picture: Justin McManus

The opposition backed a Bill in 2022 to begin the Treaty process but last year walked back its support, citing concerns about community dividedness and issues with cultural heritage laws.

It’s understood new legislation on treaty is currently being worked on and will be put to parliament by the end of the year.

A First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria spokesperson: “Following many years of work building the path towards Treaty, we have continued positive discussions with the State since negotiations began last year. We appreciate the opportunity to keep Victorians informed through our joint public statements, and we remain committed to reaching an agreement as soon as possible.”

Originally published as Treaty could be in place in Victoria by next year