Mountain Journal

Victoria is today set to become the first state or territory in Australia to introduce a treaty to its parliament.

The treaty promises to “reckon with the past” and empower Victoria’s First Peoples.

This morning, First Peoples’ Assembly Co-Chairs Rueben Berg and Ngarra Murray joined Jidah Clark, Member of the Treaty Authority, Premier Jacinta Allan and Minister Natalie Hutchins for a Press Conference at Parliament, announcing that the Government will introduce the Statewide Treaty Bill into the Victorian Parliament today.

This is a historic milestone on the decades-long journey to Treaty, we are now one big step closer to Treaty for Victoria, and all supporters and allies are invited to share in and celebrate this announcement.

This will be relevant to mountain areas as well as other parts of the state. As we know, no Indigenous group aver ceded their Country (gave up rights to their Country). A number of groups now have their native title rights over sections of the high country formally recognised. This includes:

• Taungurung – covering areas like Mt Buller, Mt Stirling and the Howqua valley
• GunaiKurnai – covering areas like Mt Baw Baw and large sections of the Alpine national park, and
• Wurrundjeri – covering much of the tall forests of the Central Highlands and Lake Mountain.

There are other groups, including Dhudhuroa and Jaitmatang, who also have connection to, and assert interest and rights, in alpine country in Victoria.

What does this mean for the mountains?

Under the Treaty, some of the future actions and new institutions that will be established include:

• government must speak with the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria when making laws, rules or policies about first nations people
• The Assembly will set up Nyerna Yoorrook Telkuna to continue the Truth-telling and healing process so everyone across the state can understand our past and share a better future
• There will be a new Outcomes and Justice Commission called Nginma Ngainga Wara to provide independent oversight and accountability for Government
• Under Treaty, all students in Victoria will learn the true history of these lands
• There will be a First Peoples’ Infrastructure Fund to support Aboriginal-led organisations
• There will be more First Peoples’ place names
• In future, we’ll build on this first Treaty, negotiating future Statewide Treaties covering areas like health, education, housing, justice and more
• Traditional Owners across the state can come forward to negotiate their own Traditional Owner Treaties that cover their Communities and Country and reflect their local priorities.

You can find more detail on these points here.

‘Every mountain, river and beach across this beautiful land has had a First Peoples’ place name for thousands of years. To help celebrate this rich history and to share our languages, we will play a greater role, alongside Traditional Owners, in restoring more place names to their First Peoples’ name, including State and National Parks and some water-ways and waterfalls.

Names are more than just words, they tell the story of the lands and our peoples and educate the public about its history.’

What next?

The legislation is now tabled and debate will begin in October. Sadly the Liberal and National parties have decided to be on the wrong side of history and will oppose Treaty. The ALP, Greens, Animal Justice Party, and Legalise Cannabis Victoria all support Treaty, so it is only a matter of time before the legislation passes.

Further information

For more information on First Peoples’ aspirations for the high country please check this resource page.

And check the first edition of Mountain Journal magazine, which includes details on the vision held by 4 groups with connection with the high country.

You can read the joint statement between the First Peoples’ Assembly and the state government here.

https://firstpeoplesvic.org/news/joint-statement-on-treaty-negotiations-september-2025/

There is a good piece on the ABC about the legislation available here.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-09-09/victoria-treaty-legislation-parliment-first-peoples/105749692

There is a good briefing about the sort of things that will be covered by Treaty available here.

Treaty