Solemn apology in treaty ‘reset’ with Aboriginal people
Callum Godde |
A historic apology will be delivered to Aboriginal people as a state recognises its dark past of mistreatment and eyes a reset in relations.
Premier Jacinta Allan will issue a formal apology in Victorian parliament on Tuesday for laws, policies and practices that have contributed to injustices against Aboriginal people in the state.
Parliament has been recalled for a special sitting to hear the apology, which was recommended by the Yoorrook Justice Commission and committed to under Victoria’s Australian-first statewide treaty.
Legislation to enable the treaty with Aboriginal people passed parliament in October after terms were agreed to by the state Labor government and First Peoples’ Assembly.
Yoorrook laid out the way forward to help right the wrongs of the past, assembly co-chair Rueben Berg said.
“Treaty is how we get there,” the Gunditjmara man said.
“Over the last decade, we have reset the relationship between First Peoples and government, and today’s apology forms part of this reset.
“This treaty journey has never been a straight line, and there will continue to be twists and turns, but through treaty we are building our collective power to make our own decisions and hold government to account to better outcomes for our people.”
In 1997, Liberal premier Jeff Kennett apologised to Aboriginal people in parliament on behalf of all Victorians for past policies that led to the removal of their children.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd offered a formal apology to all Indigenous Australians, particularly the Stolen Generations, at Canberra’s Parliament House in 2008.
The statewide treaty establishes Gellung Warl as a legislated, democratically elected body that must be consulted on laws and policies affecting Aboriginal Victorians.
Other measures include truth-telling in Victorian public schools, a process to rename geographic features with names considered offensive to Aboriginal people and a requirement for new legislation to be assessed for treaty compatibility.
A public celebration will be held on Friday evening at John Cain Arena when treaty officially commences.
Baker Boy, Briggs, Missy Higgins and Yothu Yindi – the band behind 1991 protest song Treaty – are among artists slated to perform from 6.30pm to 9pm.
The public event was moved from Federation Square after an Amyl and the Sniffers concert was cancelled over safety fears.
The Victorian coalition does not support the treaty and vows to repeal the enabling legislation within 100 days if it wins the November 2026 state election.
AAP
