Archive · 13 Nov 2025
Australia's Victoria State Enacts First Treaty with Indigenous People
Imagine Australia is like a big playground where two groups of kids live.
One group, called the First Nations people, were there first.
For a long time, the other group made most of the rules without asking the First Nations people.
Now, in a part of Australia called Victoria, they have signed a special agreement, like a peace treaty.
This treaty is like a promise to listen more to the First Nations people.
It means the government will say sorry for past mistakes.
It also creates a special club, the First Peoples' Assembly, where Indigenous people can give advice to the government about things that affect them, like schools and homes.
This is the first time Australia has done something like this, and it's a big step to be fairer to everyone.
Victoria, Australia, has enacted its first treaty with Indigenous people, marking a historic step towards reconciliation.
The treaty takes effect on December 12 and includes a formal government apology to Indigenous Australians for historical injustices.
It establishes the First Peoples’ Assembly, a permanent body to advise the government on laws and policies concerning Indigenous people.
Australia's Indigenous citizens face significant socio-economic disparities compared to the national average.
This treaty is seen as influential for future treaty discussions across the country, especially after a national referendum on Indigenous constitutional recognition failed in 2023.
- Who
- The state of Victoria, Australia, and its Indigenous First Nations people
- What
- Signed into law the country's first treaty with Indigenous people, establishing a formal apology, a representative advisory body, a truth-telling body, and an accountability body.
- When
- Thursday, December 12 (effective date)
- Where
- Victoria, Australia
- Why
- To advance reconciliation, give Indigenous people more oversight on decisions affecting them, improve socio-economic outcomes, and formally acknowledge historical injustices.
Supporters
N/A
Reconciliation and Self-Determination
Supporters
Advocates hail the treaty as a major step towards reconciliation, giving First Nations people more oversight on decisions impacting their lives, improving outcomes in healthcare, housing, education, and cultural practices, and recognizing their rights to self-determination.
N/A
This treaty is a step towards progress and better governance.
Impact on Governance
Supporters
The treaty establishes a permanent representative body (First Peoples’ Assembly) to advise the Victorian government on laws and policies concerning Indigenous people, alongside a truth-telling and accountability body to ensure government commitments are upheld.
N/A
The First Peoples' Assembly will have no veto powers.
- Treaty Effective Date
- December 12
- Treaty Bill Passage
- Last month
- Treaty Discussions Start
- 2016
- Indigenous Population
- Roughly one million
- Representative Body Name
- First Peoples’ Assembly