Overview

• The opposition committed to introduce repeal legislation in its first 100 days of government and to replace the framework with a department called First Nations Victoria and an unelected advisory body focused on Closing the Gap.
• The treaty legislation is being debated in the lower house and is expected to pass with support from Labor and the Greens, after which the agreement would be formally signed.
• Co-chairs of the First Peoples' Assembly, Ngarra Murray and Rueben Berg, addressed the chamber following a smoking ceremony, urging an end to paternalistic decision-making.
• The bill would make the Assembly permanent, empower it to make representations to cabinet, ministers and both houses of parliament, brief the Victoria Police chief commissioner, and fund Gellung Warl via ongoing special appropriation.
• Premier Jacinta Allan and Greens leader Ellen Sandell condemned the repeal plan as divisive, while Coalition figures Brad Battin and Melina Bath argued the proposed body would exercise unprecedented authority.