Victoria First Peoples treaty faces potential repeal

The future of Victoria’s historic Statewide Treaty Act 2025 is uncertain ahead of the November 28 election. The Liberal-National coalition has pledged to repeal the agreement within 100 days if they win office, intending to replace the independent representative body Gellung Warl with a new entity called First Nations Victoria.

Formalized last October, the treaty followed negotiations with the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria and the Yoorrook Justice Commission, an Indigenous-led truth-telling inquiry. The treaty was designed to create a partnership between the Victorian government and First Peoples, addressing historical mistreatment through potential redress such as land restitution, monetary compensation, or tax relief.

Human rights advocate Travis Lovett, a former commissioner of the Yoorrook Justice Commission, warned that abolishing the treaty would cause significant trauma and devastation for First Peoples communities. While Premier Jacinta Allan previously described the treaty as a recognition of ancient law and modern democracy standing side by side, the upcoming election has placed the framework at risk.