Law Report What does Victoria's historic treaty mean for First Peoples?
Dec 9, 2025
Narita Waite, a Yorta Yorta lawyer and CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, discusses the treaty's promise for self-determination and its influence on governance. Tim Goodwin highlights the innovative design of the treaty as the first modern Australian treaty. Harry Hobbs emphasizes its significance for settler Australians as a path to coexisting and acknowledging Indigenous history. Jeremy Webber draws parallels with Canadian treaties, exploring lessons for future agreements. Together, they examine the treaty's potential to reshape policy and community engagement.
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Self-Determination Drives Better Outcomes
- The Victorian treaty recognises that decisions about Aboriginal people should be made by Aboriginal people themselves.
- Narita Waite says that self-determination will improve health, education and housing outcomes for First Peoples.
Treaty Celebration vs Youth Sentencing Clash
- Narita Waite described the clash between treaty celebration and new harsher youth sentencing laws as tense and disheartening.
- She called the government's youth sentencing announcement 'at complete odds with the treaty'.
Process Strengthens Scrutiny, Not Veto Power
- The treaty creates procedural safeguards but cannot guarantee Parliament will not pass harmful laws.
- Narita Waite says the treaty forces earlier consultation and requires compatibility statements for bills regarding treaty commitments.
