Treaty Negotiations Commence in Victoria S25 Ep8

Join Ruth and Phil this week as they continue their Treaty conversation with First Peoples’ Assembly North East Representative, Levi Power, who returns to update us on the Treaty process here in Victoria.  After years of careful consultation (Phase One of Three),The Allan Labor Government and the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria have entered the Second Phase of the Victorian treaty process which is to agree and establish the rules of treaty-making as part of the Treaty Negotiation Framework. This follows close to a decade of preparatory work by the parties, including Australia’s first Treaty legislation passed by the Victorian Parliament in 2018, and the Treaty Authority Act which received bipartisan support in the Victorian Parliament in 2022. Treaty is about making a better and fairer state for every Victorian. Treaty will achieve practical change, with the initial round of negotiations focusing on securing a foundation for Treaty in Victoria that recognises the relationship between the State and First Peoples. Key areas will include structural measures to support reconciliation, truth, education and healing between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Victorians. Negotiations are overseen by the independent Treaty Authority according to rules set out in the Treaty Negotiation Framework. A landmark ceremony in November 2024 celebrated the commencement of negotiations which resumed in January 2025 with weekly talks. The parties will release regular Joint Statements to keep all Victorians updated.

Information: First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria: firstpeoplesvic.org/treaty/ Victorian Government: https://www.firstpeoplesrelations.vic.gov.au/treaty