Indigenous treaties in Australia

For general Indigenous advisory bodies of the Commonwealth and state and territory governments, see Australian Indigenous advisory bodies.

Indigenous treaties in Australia are proposed binding legal agreements between Australian governments and Australian First Nations (or other similar groups). A treaty could (amongst other things) recognise First Nations as distinct political communities, acknowledge Indigenous Sovereignty, set out mutually recognised rights and responsibilities or provide for some degree of self-government.[1] As of 2024, no such treaties are in force, however the Commonwealth and all states except Western Australia have expressed support previously for a treaty process. However, the defeat of the Voice referendum in 2023 has led to a reversal by several state branches of the Liberal and National parties in their support for treaty and a much more ambiguous expressed position by state branches of the Labor Party as well as Labor governments.[2]

Moves to state and territory treaties were boosted by the Victorian government's establishment of a legal framework for negotiations to progress, announced in 2016 and with the election of the First Peoples' Assembly in 2019. Support shown for Indigenous issues by the June 2020 Black Lives Matter rallies across Australia also increased support for treaty processes.

  1. ^ Hobbs, Harry; Norman, Heidi; Walsh, Matthew (3 April 2023). "What actually is a treaty? What could it mean for Indigenous people?". The Conversation. Australia.
  2. ^ Seccombe, Mike (27 January 2024). "The push for treaty stalls". The Saturday Paper.