This was a big week for our people, as legislation for Australia’s first Treaty with First Peoples passed the lower house of Parliament.
The debate period for this historic Treaty legislation commenced on Tuesday this week.
The day began on the steps of Parliament House, where Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elder and Assembly Member Uncle Andrew Gardiner held a smoking ceremony and Welcome to Country.
Wrapped in a possum skin cloak, Uncle Andrew reminded the state’s leaders that the land they gathered on was a traditional meeting place for his people long before Parliament was built in 1856. Directly addressing Premier Jacinta Allan, he urged:
“We entrust you to do the right thing by us.”
Gathering inside Parliament building, Assembly Co-chairs spoke from the floor of the lower house as First Peoples Elders and community members watched on from the gallery above.
Speaking to the significance of this Treaty legislation, Co-chair Ngarra Murray shared:
“The time for paternalistic Governments making decisions on behalf of our people ends with this Treaty. No longer will policies be made about us, without us.
Our people will no longer tolerate being the political football that politicians kick around looking to further their own selfish interests. We are Sovereign peoples with the oldest systems of governance on Earth.”
Read Ngarra Murray’s full speech here.
In his address to Parliament ahead of the debate on the Treaty Bill, Co-chair Rueben Berg shared:
“Everyone here can take pride in leading the way in Australia. Like Victoria has done time and time again. Victorians do not turn away. We step forward. Accepting the weight of history and the responsibility to help carry it.
But we can also take comfort in knowing that Treaty is not a novel idea. There are hundreds like it. But this one is ours. Naarm 2025!”
Read Rueben Berg’s full speech here.
Having now passed the lower house, the Bill will now head to the upper house and is expected to be debated in the next Parliamentary Sitting Week beginning Tuesday 28 October. Once passed, it will be enshrined into law – enabling Australia’s first Treaty between government and First Peoples.
