Part 1: Victoria’s historic treaty
4/25/202617 min
When Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan introduced the state's treaty bill into parliament, she said it would pave the way for a formal apology, the introduction of Aboriginal truth-telling into the school curriculum, and a better future for Indigenous Australians in the state.
The treaty is the culmination of almost a decade of work that established the First Peoples’ Assembly – which led the negotiations – and delivers on ‘Voice, Treaty and Truth’, making Victoria the first state in the country to do so.
Now, that treaty is in its next phase. This week, we'll have the election results of who will sit on the next First Peoples’ Assembly – and tomorrow, the process of setting up the delegation that will actually decide what the treaty will look like begins.
Today, the co-chairs of the First Peoples’ Assembly, Ngarra Murray and Rueben Berg, on what they hope Victoria’s treaty will deliver – and how its success will be measured.
This is part one of a two-part episode that first aired in September 2025.
If you enjoy 7am, the best way you can support us is by making a contribution at 7ampodcast.com.au/support.
Socials: Stay in touch with us on Instagram
Guest: Co-Chairs of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, Ngarra Murray and Rueben Berg.
Photo: AAP Image/Pool, Justin McManus
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Clips
Showing 10 of 11Transcript preview
First 90 secondsJacinta Allan· Soundbite0:01
This nation leading bill and the treaty process as a whole shows what we can achieve when we listen to First Peoples and work together for better outcomes When Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan introduced Australia's first-ever treaty to Parliament, she said it would pave the way for a formal apology, the introduction of Aboriginal truth-telling into the school curriculum, and offer a better future for Indigenous Australians in the state It honors and affirms the special connection the First Peoples have to country, this place now known as Victoria, which we all call home. It reckons with the wrongs of the past and sets a new course guided by truth to a better future The treaty is the culmination of almost a decade of work, establishing the First Peoples Assembly who led the negotiations and delivers on voice, treaty, and truth, the three pillars of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, making Victoria the first state in the country to achieve this.
Daniel James· Host0:55
Now, that treaty is in its next phase. This week we'll have the results of the election of who will sit on the First Peoples Assembly, and tomorrow the process of setting up the delegation that will actually decide what treaty looks like in the real world begins. I'm Daniel James, and you're listening to 7AM. Today, we're bringing you a two-part episode from last year, where Ruby Jones speaks with co-chairs of the First Peoples Assembly, Ngarra Murray and Reuben Berg, on what they hope Victoria's treaty will deliver