THE State of Victoria and the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria have negotiated a Statewide Treaty, which passed Victoria’s Legislative Assembly (lower house) on October 16, 2025. The bill is now being debated in the Legislative Council (upper house), where a vote is expected in early November. Member for Northern Victoria, Rikkie-Lee Tyrrell has provided the following statement.
“I do not and will never support the Allan Labor Government’s Treaty for Victoria,” said Ms Tyrrell.
“Labor’s proposed Statewide Treaty Bill 2025 is policy based purely on race and is designed to divide Victorians based on their ancestral heritage and the colour of their skin. I am of Indigenous heritage on my father’s side, but this never influenced the person I am today. I now serve as a member of Victorian Parliament, proudly representing my constituents of the northern Victorian region. I am living proof that we do not need to divide or separate to improve outcomes in people’s lives.
“There has been no transparency provided throughout the treaty process leading up to the introduction of this bill. Victorians have no idea what Treaty is, or what it means to them if the Statewide Treaty Bill is passed.
“In fact, the State Government has taken deliberate steps to hide information from the Victorian public, with the Minister for Government Services, Gabrielle Williams, declaring in the Victorian Government Gazette dated 21 March 2024 that records pertaining to the Victorian Treaty Advancement Commission would not be available for public inspection for a period of 30 years, until 2054.
“Everyone wants better outcomes for Indigenous communities. The way to improve the lives of Indigenous Victorians is not through what is effectively a third arm of the Victorian Parliament costing the Victorian taxpayer hundreds of millions of dollars, but through transparent and responsible programs, directly benefitting the lives of those in our Indigenous community.
“The Victorian Parliament is built on the foundation of representing all Victorians. It is time Premier Jacinta Allan did the same,” said Ms Tyrrell.
