Traditional Owners of Country in Victoria are being encouraged to stand as candidates in the upcoming Treaty Elections, with nominations opening today.
The elections will see Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the state vote for who they want on the next term of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, the democratically-elected representative body for First Peoples.
Last year Assembly Members negotiated and signed Australia’s first Treaty between government and First Peoples.
The next term of the Assembly will be responsible for delivering the outcomes negotiated through Treaty. These include making decisions on First Peoples’ matters, advising and advocating to government on behalf of First Peoples and continuing the truth-telling and healing journey in Victoria.
Assembly Co-chair and Wamba Wamba, Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung and Dhudhuroa woman Ngarra Murray urged Traditional Owners of different ages and backgrounds to consider nominating as a candidate for the elections.
“Generations of Blak resistance and activism has secured this country’s first Treaty and now we need the next round of community representatives to step up and make sure Treaty improves our peoples’ lives,” said Ngarra.
“Our people have built this democracy from the ground up. Through Treaty, we can now use our local knowledge to come up with and deliver practical solutions for our communities. This means we can get better outcomes because Aboriginal people know what does and doesn’t work for us.
“When so many of our Elders were denied the right to vote and had decisions about their lives made on their behalf, we all have a responsibility to get involved to make sure Treaty delivers for mob.
“So if you’re a Traditional Owner, consider nominating for the Treaty Elections to represent your community on the Assembly. And if you’re eligible to vote, do your part for community and enrol now at treatyelections.org. Your vote matters.”
First Peoples aged 16 or older who are either Victorian Traditional Owners or have lived in the state for three of the past five years are eligible to enrol and vote in the Treaty Elections.
Candidate nominations close on 2 March and voting opens 21 March.
Previous Treaty Elections were held in 2019 and 2023. Successful candidates in the 2026 Treaty Elections will be elected for a four-year term.
Learn more, nominate to be a candidate or enrol to vote in the Treaty Elections online at treatyelections.org.
