Victoria Signs Australia’s First Treaty wiht Aboriginal People, Marking Historic Step Towards Reconciliation
Melbourne, Australia – Victoria has become the first Australian state too sign a treaty with its First Peoples, a landmark agreement decades in the making and hailed as a pivotal moment in the nation’s history.The treaty, signed on November 29, 2023, formalizes a commitment to truth, justice, and self-determination for Victoria’s Customary Owner groups.
The agreement follows years of consultation and negotiation under Victoria’s Treaty-Making framework, established in 2018. It aims to address historical injustices and create a more equitable future through shared governance and recognition of Aboriginal sovereignty. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk described the treaty’s passing as a “historic” moment.
Under the framework, further treaties can be negotiated with specific Traditional Owner groups. While commitments to treaty-making exist in New South Wales and South Australia, progress has stalled or been reversed in Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Tasmania.
The Victorian treaty has received support from the state’s Labor government. Though,the state Liberal opposition has pledged to scrap the deal should it win the next state election.
The signing occured a day after the government announced a new policy allowing children as young as 14 to face adult jail time for certain violent crimes, a move that has drawn criticism. Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service CEO nerita waight labelled the proposal “cruel” and inconsistent with the treaty’s spirit. “The treaty will ensure that what happened yesterday doesn’t happen again where our experts are left unconsulted, where we are not acting on best evidence,” she said.
The treaty will mandate additional consultation with Aboriginal people regarding legislative reforms. Victorian senator lidia Thorpe questioned the future of the treaty given the youth crime policy,stating,”What future do they have with treaty if Jacinta locks them up? Like what hope do we have here?”
A public event celebrating the signing of Victoria’s first treaty is scheduled for December.