EARTHCHAT: AUSTRALIA’S FIRST TREATY IS NOW SIX MONTHS IN…..

Listen at noon, Tuesday 16 June on Seymour FM or anytime as a podcast.

Treaties between First Peoples and governments have been signed in many other countries, like New Zealand and Canada, but until October 2025, Australia was the only Commonwealth country without a treaty with its First Peoples. Now, at last, Australia’s first Treaty is legislated, and on November 13, 2025, the Victorian Statewide Treaty Bill 2025 was officially given Royal Assent by the Governor of Victoria.

What followed was the creation of Gellung Warl, the formalized, permanent umbrella name for the Assembly and its expanded structures under Victoria’s historic Statewide Treaty.

While the Assembly operates as the negotiating body for Traditional Owners, Gellung Warl, (which means "tip of the spear" in the Gunaikurnai language), is the ongoing institution established by law to action the practical outcomes of the Treaty.

Gellung Warl also provides independent oversight and accountability for Government on behalf of First Peoples. It continues the truth-telling and healing process so all of us who call Victoria home can understand our shared past, heal and move forward together.

The First Peoples' Assembly continues to exist as the central, democratically elected decision-making arm within Gellung Warl, and in the recent (2026) Assembly elections, EarthChat regular, Levi Power, was re-elected as one of four North East Regional Representatives of the Assembly.

Levi Power joins Ruth Yeatman and Phil Bourne on EarthChat to explain more about the different aspects of Gellung Warl, and to fill us in on Victoria’s Statewide Treaty journey over its first six months since being legislated, other exciting developments, and what’s planned for the next six months.

Thanks to FPAV for giving us permission to use this Photograph:

The First People’s Assembly of Victoria in front of Victoria’s State Parliament building with outgoing Co-Chairs centre front: Ngarra Murray and Rueben Berg (term: 2023 - 2026)

Footnote: The 2026 newly elected Assembly members of all five regions Victoria chose their new leadership team at the Assembly’s inaugural meeting in early May this year - Meriki Onus and Djaran Murray-Jackson were elected to serve as the next Assembly Co-chairs.

 For the latest news and speeches by the outgoing Chairs of FPAV, Ngarra Murray and Rueben Berg: https://gellungwarl.org/news/

You can explore the elected representatives on the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria website. 

For the latest updates on current negotiations, upcoming treaties, and official resources, you can also visit Victoria's Treaty portal.

And for ANTAR’s Treaty Fact Sheet: https://antar.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/Treaty-in-Vic-Factsheet-V5_March-2026.pdff

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