Victorian treaty, yeah!
In late October 2025, the Statewide Treaty Bill 2025 passed both houses of the Victorian Parliament, making Victoria the first Australian jurisdiction to enact treaty legislation with First Peoples.
It is an historic moment which could mark a turning point for the entire country. Victoria becomes the second Australian state (after South Australia in 2023) to create permanent Indigenous representation in Parliament.
Victorian Trades Hall Council says, “Unlike Canada or New Zealand, Australia has never signed a treaty with its First Nations peoples”.
“There has never been a formal framework for negotiation or accountability between the State and the Traditional Owners of this land.
“The Treaty for Victoria seeks to repair that historic absence and build a new relationship founded on respect, recognition, and shared responsibility.
“A step that carries a message of unity and hope for the whole nation.”
The Treaty makes the Yoorrook Justice Commission (Australia’s first truth-telling body) a permanent pillar of reconciliation in Victoria, extending its work beyond the original mandate to guide future agreements.
It also establishes Gellung Warl, a permanent First Nations body within the Victorian Government (name means “tip of the spear” in Gunaikurnai), to drive change and embed partnership with Traditional Owners in public decision-making.
What does the Treaty mean?
First Peoples’ elected representatives now have responsibility for several areas, including:
Making decisions on issues that affect First Peoples
Holding government accountable to its promises
Continuing the Truth-Telling and healing process.
Treaty puts First Peoples in charge of these decisions rather than State politicians.
Benefits for all Victorians
Treaty means:
Victoria’s history is taught truthfully and with respect – not whitewashed.
We’ll learn more about the stories and traditional place names of the land we live in
First Peoples will decide how they participate in Victorian celebrations and ceremony, so all Victorians will benefit from genuine engagement with Indigenous culture.
Standing in solidarity with First Peoples for treaty is simple and will bring practical lasting change.
Why does the Victorian Trades Hall Council support Treaty?
“When we’re negotiating a workplace agreement we get input from everyone at the workplace. We elect our delegates and safety reps to represent a wide variety of views, and then we present our log of claims to the employer as a united group, because we know that we are stronger together.
“We know our workplace will get the best outcomes when everyone from every section of the workforce is involved in decision-making.
“That is what Treaty is for First Nations People.”
