The Coalition plans to scrap Victoria’s treaty with First Peoples if it wins the election – but is that what voters want?
Jess Wilson, who once supported the federal Indigenous voice to parliament, has vowed to repeal Victoria’s treaty within the first 100 days of a Liberal government On a warm Saturday afternoon in the affluent suburb of Kew in Melbourne’s inner-east, three volunteers approach a stately two-storey home armed with a printed page of talking points on Australia’s first-ever treaty with Indigenous…
As the Coalition campaigns to win Victoria's upcoming election, opposition leader Jess Wilson has pledged to repeal the state's treaty with Indigenous Peoples within the first 100 days of a Liberal government taking power. This announcement has sparked concern among local residents and advocacy groups.
In Kew, a affluent Melbourne suburb, volunteers canvassing for the advocacy group Together for Treaty spoke with Paris Riebeling, a 26-year-old woman who grew up in the electorate. Riebeling, who lives with her mother and sister, expressed her awareness of the issue and acknowledged the impact of colonial-era injustices on First Nations communities. She stressed that her ancestors benefited from these historical legacies.
Meanwhile, nearby retiree Geoffrey Jewell, who knows little about treaty matters, voiced his support for the agreement if it leads to improved living conditions and social understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. He emphasized the importance of dialogue and cooperation to address past grievances and promote mutual understanding.
The proposed treaty, established through the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria and the Yoorrook Justice Commission, aims to create a permanent representative body called Gellung Warl. This body would have the authority to make decisions on matters affecting Indigenous Peoples, such as water entitlements, heritage council appointments, and cultural safety guidelines. While Gellung Warl lacks veto power over legislation, it represents a significant step toward self-determination and reconciliation.
Critics argue that repealing the treaty would save the state nearly $1 billion, citing a Parliamentary Budget Office report. However, the treaty's supporters counter that the costs of various services and programs for Indigenous Peoples are already being allocated and that the treaty represents a crucial investment in better future outcomes.
The debate surrounding the treaty underscores the complex relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, as well as the ongoing struggle for fairness, respect, and justice in Australia.
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