Treaty is about the policies that impact First Peoples and their families.
For too long, laws and policies have been made about First Peoples – without First Peoples. But when First Peoples lead the way to design policies and solutions, we get better outcomes across areas like health, housing and education.
Gellung Warl: An ongoing representative and deliberative body
The Statewide Treaty Bill 2025 (the Bill) will establish a new entity Gellung Warl (Gullung-Warl, from Gunaikurnai language) which is evolved from Victoria’s successful First Peoples’ Assembly.
Gellung Warl will be comprised of three main parts:
The Bill empowers the Assembly within Gellung Warl to make rules, guidelines and standards about issues that directly affect First Peoples. These include:
- Making rules regarding the ‘acceptance by community’ aspect of Confirmation of Aboriginality
- Appoint the existing First Peoples’ representatives to the Heritage Council and Aboriginal Heritage Council
- Make non-binding guidelines for the trading and sharing of First Peoples’ existing water entitlements with other First Peoples
- Make guidelines regarding First Peoples’ cultural safety, including for specific activities, industries or sectors
- Make its own internal rules, including regarding structure, governance, operations.
Important, practical reforms
Gellung Warl will use its powers and functions to action important, practical reforms set out in Treaty. These reforms include:
- Use the Yoorrook Justice Commission’s Official Public Record as a curriculum resource to support the implementation of truth-telling in schools.
- Participate in place-naming of specific geographic features including waterways and National and State parks to increase opportunities for the use of traditional or language place names.
- Establish a First Peoples Infrastructure Fund to re-furbish or build new Aboriginal community infrastructure.
- Deliver Aboriginal events and awards, such as NAIDOC week events and the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll.
Gellung Warl will operate as an ongoing democratic, representative and deliberative body for First Peoples in Victoria. It will lead the renewed relationship with the State created by Treaty. Working with the State, it will use its functions and powers to action Statewide Treaty reforms – the practical outcomes set out in the Statewide Treaty.
While operating independently from government, Gellung Warl is subject to Parliamentary sovereignty. The operations of Gellung Warl will not impact the Parliament’s ability to make laws, and it will not impact the Victorian Government’s ability to govern for all Victorians.
Gellung Warl will have no powers to veto policy or legislation. Gellung Warl will be subject to the same oversight bodies as other independent agencies including VAGO, IBAC and the Ombudsman.
Treaty will unite Victorians
Treaty will help all Victorians to build a shared connection with the Aboriginal history and living cultures of Victoria.
Treaty provides an opportunity to bring Victorian communities together and share pride in Aboriginal heritage, history and culture.
This Treaty does not take away anyone’s rights.
Treaty is about ensuring that all Victorians have access to the same opportunities and building a better future for all.
What this Statewide Treaty Bill won’t do
- Change the Victorian or Commonwealth Constitution.
- Establish a 'third chamber of Parliament' in the legislative chamber or house of Victoria’s Parliament.
- Change tax laws or provide individual financial ‘reparations.
Find out more about Victoria's Treaty
Read Victoria's Statewide Treaty
Treaty is an opportunity to come to grips with the history we share – and create a better and fairer future together.
What is Treaty?
A treaty is an agreement between two or more parties. Treaties between First Peoples and governments have been signed in many countries, like New Zealand and Canada.
Foundations for Treaty
We have passed legislation twice, developed policies, and made commitments across every level of government.
Read the Statewide Treaty Bill 2025
The Statewide Treaty Bill was introduced into the Victorian Parliament on 9 September 2025. This Bill aims to give effect to the Treaty negotiated with the First Peoples’ Assembly.