Victorians are being urged to rally behind the state's historic Aboriginal treaty bill, which has successfully passed the first stage of parliamentary approval, making it the most progressive legislation of its kind in Australia.
The proposed law would pave the way for legally enforced Aboriginal consultation on future indigenous-related decisions.
It passed parliament's lower house on Thursday evening after little more than an hour of debate.
"We're doing the best that we can in leading the way in bringing such a piece of legislation to the parliament that has not been done or attempted to be done in another state," Aboriginal Affairs Minister Natalie Hutchins told the chamber.
"Quite frankly, today's about getting on with that process and I believe that the bill that is before the house does advance the treaty process for all Victorians in a manner that really embeds self-determination."
Earlier on Thursday, Ms Hutchins held a news conference with Treaty Advancement Commissioner Jill Gallagher, Gunditjmara man, writer and academic Richard Frankland and Treaty Working Group Chair Mick Harding, urging the community to get behind the bill.
"This is an opportunity not just for black Australia, not just for my mob, but for every Australian, it's for every Victorian," Mr Frankland said.
"If it's snatched away by any hard-thinking politicians, history won't judge them kindly."
Mr Frankland said the bill was for "tomorrow Australia" and implored "every Australian, every Victorian to write to your members here".
The Greens backed the bill but submitted amendments, which were defeated.
Greens Aboriginal affairs spokeswoman and Victoria's first indigenous female MP, Lidia Thorpe, continued to pursue greater recognition of individual clans.
"The treaty between the first peoples of Victoria and the state could have the legal effect of ceding the sovereignty of the clan or first nation if not otherwise stated," Ms Thorpe told parliament.
"So it is crucial the bill specify that sovereignty is not ceded so clans are not inadvertently and unknowingly stripped of their sovereign status. Also, it is crucial to ensure that they can participate in a Commonwealth treaty process should it arise."
The opposition is not supporting the bill, believing there should be a national treaty.
"Aboriginal clans didn't follow the borders of Australian states so it doesn't make much sense if it's not a national approach," Opposition Leader Matthew Guy said.
The treaty process has been years in the making and 7000 Victorians have been consulted.
That consultations will continue, including Ms Gallagher holding community meetings in the next two weeks at Shepparton, Portland, Ballarat, Halls Gap, Horsham, Mildura, Robinvale and Swan Hill.
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