Victoria close to treaty agreement

Victoria could become the first State to sign a treaty with traditional owners, after the First Peoples’ Assembly ratified an agreement with the State government last week.

The Treaty will enshrine the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria as a permanent statutory body with new accountability powers.

It will be able to question ministers, hold public hearings and scrutinise government programs, but will have no power to veto policy or legislation.

If legislation is passed in Parliament, it would become the first formal Treaty between an Australian State and traditional owners and could be signewd off and enacted by the end of this year.

The Treaty, which is believed to have cost the Victorian government $382 million over the past decade, gas been shaped by the Yoorrook Justice Commission inquiry.

The commission recommended a statewide redress scheme, which included recognition of Indigenous sovereignty, exemptions from taxes, access to natural resource revenues, and a government apology.

The State government has two years to respond to the findings.