This week the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria Co-chairs addressed the Victorian Parliament as debate commenced on historic Treaty legislation. Read Rueben Berg’s historic speech below.
Ngata
Ngatook Gunditjmara
Ngatook Kirrae Wurrung
Ngatook Djaparung
Ngatook Worimi
Ngatook Parabeena
Leenyar meering than yang poonart
Wanyoon Wurundjeri Meering
T’do Wurundjeri Leenyar
T’do Wurndjeri Kakoon
Gellung Warl. The tip of the spear.
Across these lands, spears were made for different needs: pronged spears for the shallows, close work, single‑point hunting spears for distance and accuracy, ceremonial spears that speak to status, process, responsibility.
Made from wood, straightened by hand.
Spear point reinforced by fire.
Fibre and sinew bound with resin so the point and the body do not part.
This is our guide.
The tip is Gellung Warl.
The wood of the spear, our Community.
The binding is Treaty.
The line of sight and the throw are our self‑determination.
We shape the point, together, bind our purpose, and we take responsibility for the throw.
When we talk about the work involved together to get us to this stage of the Treaty process, it’s about much more than the current Members of the First Peoples’ Assembly.
It’s the members of the Aboriginal Treaty Interim Working Group, the Community Assembly, the Aboriginal Treaty Working Group, the previous Members of the Assembly, as well as all of those Community Members who participated in the roadshows, consultations, Treaty engagements and yarns. It’s the Traditional Owner workshops the Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations workshops.
From 2017 to today. Today where we stand in parliament to talk about the first Statewide Treaty.
This first Statewide Treaty is a renewed and enduring relationship between First Peoples and the State. It honours an unbroken connection to Country, and to Aboriginal Lore, Law and Cultural Authority.
It affirms a simple principle, recognised around the world. First Peoples decide First Peoples’ issues.
For the last 200 years we’ve had successive Governments saying ‘they know best!’ about our business.
Countless bodies, commissions and policies set up, without the leadership of First Peoples.
Even with Governments with good intentions, it just does not work.
All of us can agree, our approach must change.
Today we can agree to move forward together, by discontinuing the centuries of ineffective, and harmful policies.
This is Not a favour asked, but a right recognised.
Not a louder plea, but a clearer purpose.
Not charity, but justice.
Treaty must live beyond the page.
Treaty will be felt in classrooms and on riverbanks, in hospitals and homes.
Truth that lives in schools, so our children learn the story of this place, whole and honest.
Country that speaks its names, so signs, forests and maps call places by their language names again and reflect some of Earth’s oldest stories.
Programs led by First Peoples, so the work of honouring and building our communities is in our hands.
Independent eyes on government — and on us — so promises meet results, and results get outcomes.
We do this not to divide Victoria, but to complete it.
Not to take anything from anyone, but to make this place more whole for everyone.
Good intentions have too often outlived good outcomes.
So the Gellung Warl will begin this work immediately.
We will set measurable milestones.
We will implement practical, impactful pathways.
We will report progress openly.
We are answerable to Community first—larbargirrar gnuurtak tulkuuk.
We will accept scrutiny—from our people, from this Parliament, from independent bodies.
And we will measure success where it counts
Truth‑telling will continue through Nyerna Yoorrook Telkuna. Place‑based, self‑determined, building the public record, enabling healing.
Government Accountability will be real through Nginma Ngainga Wara. Examining policy, programs and spend, naming institutional racism, embedding cultural safety.
These are not performative gestures.
They are powerful tools.
And tools are for getting work done.
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.
Niagara 1764; Delaware 1778; Waitangi (wai·tang·ee) 1840; Sami (sah·me) 1972; Inuvialuit (ee·noo·vee·ah·loo·et) 1984. Nunavut (noo·nuh·vuht) 1993; Nisg’a (niss·guh) 1999; Whitecap Dakota Nation 2023.
There are hundreds like it. But this one is ours. Naarm 2025.
Around the world, Treaties have been in place for centuries. And quite simply, they work.
When First Peoples lead, outcomes improve.
So while this is a historic day, I reiterate that, we, Australians are late to it.
We choose it now—by emulating what succeeds, and shaping it to this Country and our communities.
To the Parliament: I remind you that Treaty lives beyond the page. It must also live beyond these walls.
To our people: stand with us—steady, patient, proud.
From today, we are no longer asking for a seat at the government’s table.
From today, we set our own table—and we lead the work that affects us.
Treaty is about our people bringing their stories, truth, ideas and scrutiny to this newly set table.
Our table. Our work.
And to every Victorian—no matter your story—this Treaty is an invitation, one that has been called for a long time, that we now arrive at.
Whether you and your families have been here for 5 years, or 50,000 thousand, people seek Victoria as a home, as a place that is respecting and accepting of all people.
There are many powerful guides for us on this journey to treaty.
My Dad, Jim Berg, once said:
“If you look at a scarred tree, it’s starting a healing process where it’s coming towards the middle… to me, that represents the people. On one side we have Koori people and, on the other side, non-Koori people, slowly coming together and reaching out for each other… The healing process has begun.”
Dad was talking about just the start of healing – something that can take a long time. But not long ago, just a few weeks ago my 8 year old daughter wrote a report about Treaty for a school project which said:
“Treaty is a group of men and women, to help Aboriginal people get their true rights back, which makes it really really important to Aboriginal mobs, such as the Gunditjmara”
Treaty has moved from an aspiration, to a just realised reality, to something which future generations will see as the standard way of doing business.
Between my Dad, myself and my daughter, we represent 3 generations of Gunditjmara people. We carry truth in our hearts and healing in our hands.
I stand here now, and I urge everyone today to make history in heralding in a new era.
The Treaty era.
Let us walk forward together.
Walk with truth in our hearts, and fairness in our stride.
Thank you.
