The Morning Edition Victoria's treaty is an Australian first. What will this agreement mean?
Oct 19, 2025
Aunty Jill Gallagher AO, a Gunditjmara elder and CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, delves into the groundbreaking treaty legislation in Victoria. She explains that this agreement recognizes Indigenous sovereignty and establishes an elected body to engage with Parliament. Aunty Jill compares Victoria's treaty to those in New Zealand and Canada, highlighting its unique aspects while discussing the importance of ongoing truth-telling and curriculum reform. Ultimately, she emphasizes the treaty's potential to empower First Nations people and foster understanding among non-Indigenous communities.
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Treaty Defined As Sovereign Agreement
- A treaty is an agreement between two sovereign entities recognizing First Peoples' sovereignty.
- Australia currently lacks such a treaty with its First Nations people, which this legislation seeks to address.
Treaties Boost Visibility And Voice
- Other countries' treaties (New Zealand, Canada, US) visibly embed Indigenous culture and political voice.
- New Zealand's treaty gave Māori representation and cultural visibility in public life.
Recognition Alone Is Transformative
- The legislation's recognition of Indigenous sovereignty is itself a major symbolic victory.
- That formal recognition counters two centuries of denied status for First Peoples.