Victoria Formalizes Australia's First Aboriginal Treaty into Law

Historic Legislation Enacted in Victoria

On November 13, 2025, the Australian state of Victoria formalized the nation's first treaty with Aboriginal people into law. The Statewide Treaty Act 2025 (Vic) received Royal Assent, marking a pivotal moment in Australia's history of reconciliation and acknowledging the enduring connection of Aboriginal Victorians to their land and culture, while also recognizing the profound impact of colonization.

The legislation is the culmination of nearly a decade of consultation and negotiation between Indigenous leaders and the Victorian state government. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan stated at a signing ceremony in Melbourne that 'Today marks a new chapter in the story of our state,' emphasizing that giving people a 'real say over the things that impact their lives' improves outcomes and makes the state fairer.

Key Provisions of the Statewide Treaty Act

The Statewide Treaty Act 2025 responds directly to recommendations from the Yoorrook Justice Commission, Victoria's and Australia's first formal truth-telling inquiry into systemic injustices against First Peoples. The Act establishes Gellung Warl, a permanent First Peoples representative and deliberative body, under a new statutory authority. This body will advise and advocate to government and Parliament on matters affecting First Peoples, represent them in ongoing Statewide Treaty negotiations, and hold the Victorian Government accountable for its commitments.

The treaty includes several significant provisions:

• A formal apology from the government to Australia's First Nations people for historical injustices.
• Expanded powers for the Indigenous representative body, enabling it to act as a voice to parliament and be consulted on laws and policies affecting Aboriginal Victorians.
• A commitment to truth-telling, shared decision-making, and structural reform that recognizes Aboriginal sovereignty and advances genuine self-determination.
• A framework for ongoing negotiations, data sharing, and resource allocation.
• The adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) as a guiding framework for reform and future treaty-making.

The Path to Treaty

The journey towards this historic treaty began in 2016 with the formation of the Aboriginal Treaty Working Group. This led to the establishment of the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, an independent and democratically elected body representing Traditional Owners and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Victoria. The Assembly played a crucial role in negotiating the creation of the Yoorrook Justice Commission, which commenced its truth-telling process in May 2021.

The Statewide Treaty Bill 2025 was introduced to Parliament in September 2025 and subsequently passed by the Victorian Parliament in October 2025, culminating in its formal enactment.

Implications for Reconciliation and Self-Determination

This treaty is set to take effect just before Christmas 2025, with full operational implementation expected by mid-2026. It represents a profound shift in the relationship between the Victorian government and First Peoples, aiming to address the impacts of colonization and promote social cohesion and reconciliation.

Experts, such as Professor Kelly Menzel from the Burnet Institute, have hailed this as a 'historic and deeply hopeful moment,' emphasizing that 'Treaty is not an endpoint, it is a beginning.' The Victorian treaty is expected to influence similar discussions across Australia, setting a precedent for recognizing First Nations' rights to self-determination.