Politics · Australia · 4 hrs ago
Victorian Coalition pledges to repeal First Peoples treaty if elected
Victoria’s Coalition opposition has pledged to repeal the state’s First Peoples treaty if it wins the state election on 28 November.
The treaty, passed by parliament last November, created Gellung Warl, a permanent body representing First Peoples.
Gellung Warl has limited powers over matters affecting First Nations people and cannot veto government policy or laws.
The treaty grew out of discussions between traditional owners and the state government that began in 2016.
In Kew, a Melbourne suburb, resident Paris Riebeling says First Nations issues matter locally; the wider Kooyong electorate voted 59% in favour of the proposed Indigenous voice in the 2023 referendum.
The election will decide whether the Coalition can pursue its repeal pledge; One Nation has also promised to overturn the treaty.
Victorian Opposition Leader Jess Wilson has pledged to introduce legislation to repeal the state’s treaty with First Peoples within the first 100 days if the Coalition wins the state election.
The Statewide Treaty Act 2025 established Gellung Warl, a permanent statutory First Peoples representative body.
Gellung Warl can make rules on a limited range of matters affecting First Nations peoples but cannot veto policy or legislation.
Wilson’s pledge comes as voters in Kew, her electorate, prepare to vote in the election on 28 November.
- Who
- Jess Wilson, Victoria’s state opposition leader, has pledged to repeal the treaty if the Coalition wins. One Nation has also pledged to overturn the body.
- What
- The Coalition plans to introduce legislation repealing Victoria’s treaty with First Peoples.
- When
- Wilson says she would introduce the legislation within the first 100 days of a Coalition government. The state election is on 28 November.
- Where
- Victoria, Australia.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Formal discussion around treaty in Victoria began with dialogues between traditional owners and the Labor government.
The First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria was established.
The Yoorrook Justice Commission began a statewide truth-telling project.
The Statewide Treaty Act 2025 passed state parliament and established Gellung Warl.
Victoria’s state election is scheduled to take place.
- Treaty law
- Statewide Treaty Act 2025
- Representative body
- Gellung Warl
- Repeal pledge
- Legislation within the first 100 days if the Coalition wins
- Election date
- 28 November
- Kew voice referendum result
- 59% voted Yes in 2023
What people are saying
It’s always so interesting to be unlearning what living in and growing up in Australia is like
I have a lot of privilege and I’m very aware of that