The Victorian Government is on the verge of making history as it prepares to become the first Australian state to enact a formal treaty with Aboriginal peoples. This significant milestone follows years of negotiation and advocacy, led by the First Peoples” Assembly of Victoria. Ngarra Murray, the elected co-chair of the Assembly, delivered a powerful address during the 25th Dr Charles Perkins Oration at the University of Sydney on November 28, outlining the journey toward this treaty.
The Freedom Rides, a civil rights movement initiated by Charles Perkins and a group of University of Sydney students in 1965, challenged racial discrimination in Australia. This pivotal campaign set the stage for the 1967 referendum, which amended the Australian Constitution to recognize First Nations peoples as equal citizens. Six decades later, as Ms. Murray pointed out during her speech, Australia stands at the brink of another transformative chapter.
Ngarra Murray, who identifies as a Wamba Wamba, Yorta Yorta, Dhudhuroa, and Dja Dja Wurrung woman, paid homage to Charles Perkins, recalling his visits to the Moama Local Aboriginal Land Council. She emphasized how such encounters informed her leadership journey, stating, “We grew up listening to the language of change, strategy and struggle, learning early what it means to carry responsibility.” Throughout her speech, she acknowledged the significant contributions of Elders who laid the groundwork for the treaty.
“We have survived policies designed to erase us, institutions built to exclude us, and a nation that for too long looked away from our truth. But now, something extraordinary is happening. We are standing on the threshold of a new era – the Treaty era,” Ms. Murray declared.
She articulated the fundamental principle of the treaty: that Aboriginal peoples are the foremost experts regarding their lands, cultures, and communities. Ms. Murray asserted, “Policies and programs work best when the people affected by them have a say in how they are delivered – that”s why this Bill proposes to put decision-making powers into the hands of the First Peoples” Assembly.”
Ms. Murray clarified that the concept of a treaty is not new on the global stage. She highlighted historical treaties with First Peoples, including the Delaware Treaty in the United States signed in 1778 and the Treaty of Waitangi in Aotearoa, signed in 1840. She noted that the absence of a treaty in Australia is not a matter of historical accident or a lack of willingness from First Peoples, but rather a decision made by those who colonized the country.
Looking to the future, Ms. Murray expressed optimism, stating, “This Treaty heralds an era where everyone prospers… It is a future where our Country is known not just for its natural beauty, but for the way it nurtures culture, celebrates diversity, and ensures that safety, dignity and opportunity is shared by all.”
The Oration event also recognized the recipients of the Dr Charles Perkins Memorial Prize, which honors outstanding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at the University of Sydney. Molly Blackburn, one of the 2025 prize recipients, shared her appreciation for Dr. Perkins and acknowledged the legacy of First Nations individuals who paved the way for future generations. She encouraged other First Nations students to connect with the Gadigal Centre to foster a supportive community.
As this historic treaty progresses through the Victorian Parliament, it symbolizes not only a formal recognition of Aboriginal rights but also a commitment to a more equitable future for all Australians.
