Landmark agreement between the Victorian Government and the First People's Assembly of Victoria

VICTORIA INDIGENOUS TREATY BILL

Australian-first treaty legislation has been passed in Victoria's parliament. Credit: James Ross/ AAP Photos Source: AAP / JAMES ROSS/AAPIMAGE

Cheers rang through the Victorian Parliament on Thursday evening, after the state parliament made history by passing Australia's first ever treaty legislation.


After almost a decade of activism and community efforts, Victoria has passed Australia's first ever treaty legislation establishing a permanent Indigenous representative body in the state parliament.

Following a late night debate in the Upper House, the landmark treaty bill comes after almost a decade of activism and community efforts.The treaty follows on from Victoria's Yoorrook Justice Commission, which shone light on the historic and ongoing injustices faced by Victoria's First Peoples.

In the treaty bill and legislation, the body will be known as Gellung Warl, the Gunaikurnai word for "tip of the spear".
To me it means hope for Aboriginal Victorians. To me, it's about a moment that will be remembered as a turning point in not only Victoria's history, but Australia's history
Aunty Jill Gallagher

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