Australia’s first Treaty Bill a “historic step forward”
Australia reached a significant milestone by tabling the first ever treaty Bill in Victorian parliament. This follows a decades’ long journey and years of negotiations.
Treaty pathway developed alongside the Yoorook Justice Commission, Australia’s first Indigenous-led truth-telling inquiry. The Commission was called for by The First People’s Assembly back in 2021 linking truth-telling with Treaty making.
Many First Nations communities welcome the Treaty Bill, and if passed, legislation will enshrine the First Peoples’ Assembly, under a new authority called Gellung Warl.
Oxfam Australia Executive Lead First Peoples Program, Jimi Peterson has described the time as emotional, marking progress and recognition.