Welcome to the Treaty Authority’s quarterly newsletter where you’ll find treaty news and updates on our work.
The Treaty Authority is the independent body overseeing treaty-making in Victoria. We are committed to supporting a fair, inclusive and transparent process for all Victorians.
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What is the Treaty Negotiation Framework?
The Treaty Negotiation Framework is the agreement between the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria and the State of Victoria that sets out the rules for treaty-making.
The Treaty Authority is responsible for making sure that Negotiating Parties follow the rules in the Treaty Negotiation Framework.
What is the Negotiations Register?
The Negotiations Register holds publicly available information about treaty negotiations, such as who is negotiating a treaty, the Country it will cover, and the status of negotiations.
Statewide Treaty
On 12 December 2025, history was made. Victoria became the first jurisdiction in Australia with a treaty with First Peoples.
Following a day of cultural assent, the Statewide Treaty officially commenced at the Treaty: It’s Here concert. Treaty Authority Chair Jidah Clark announced the commencement of the treaty during his speech. You can read his speech online here.
A key outcome of the Statewide Treaty was the establishment of a new representative body “Gellung Warl”, which enshrines mechanisms for truth-telling, accountability and future treaty-making.
The Statewide Treaty represents a significant and momentous step forward for the self-determination of First Peoples in Victoria.
You can read the Statewide Treaty in full below.
Treaty Authority Public Guides
The Treaty Authority has public guides available to explain different aspects of the treaty journey.
‘Public Guide: How to start a Traditional Owner Treaty’ was developed for Traditional Owners and provides practical information on how to start the process.
Public Notifications
Throughout the treaty process, the Treaty Authority makes public notifications to ensure the public is aware of important milestones and events.
In February 2026, the Treaty Authority gave notice, under clause 9.4(a) of the Treaty Negotiation Framework, that it entered the following Traditional Owner Groups onto the Negotiations Register for the purposes of Traditional Owner treaty negotiations with the State of Victoria:
- Barengi Gadjin Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (BGLC) representing the Wotjobaluk Nations.
- Tati Tati Traditional Owners.
In February 2026, the Treaty Authority also gave notice under clause 10.2(d)(ii) of the Treaty Negotiation Framework that:
- Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation (DJAARA) notified the Treaty Authority of its intention to form a Delegation.
View Public Notifications here.
There are now four Traditional Owner Groups on the Register, preparing for treaty negotiations. The fourth Group is Bidwell-Maap Traditional Owner Group, which has initiated the Delegation-formation process.
This is a big achievement as Victoria moves into a new era of treaty-making. We look forward to supporting more Traditional Owners on their treaty journey.
Assembly Election
The First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria is preparing for its third election (known as the ‘transitional election’). Eligible voters will elect a new Assembly that will form one part of Gellung Warl. Gellung Warl is the permanent representative body of First Peoples in Victoria, established by the Statewide Treaty.
The Treaty Authority has established a new, independent office (the Office of the Transitional Election) to conduct the election and administer the Assembly’s electoral roll.
Are you enrolled to vote? Find out more about the election below.
Meet the Members:
Jidah Clark
The Treaty Authority is led by five Members, who are all First Peoples, and follow strict Standards of Conduct when they carry out their role. Today, we’re introducing Treaty Authority Member and Chair Jidah Clark.
My bloodlines are through the Winters, Clarke, Norris, Edwards, and Briggs families that connect me to Djab Wurrung, Kirrae Wurrung, Peek Wurrung, Taungurung, Wamba Wemba, Boon Wurrung, and Palawa peoples.
I spent my formative years on the Framlingham Aboriginal Settlement, immersed in community life and culture, learning from my grandmothers, aunties and uncles. I was impassioned about social justice and human rights as a young man, and decided to become a lawyer to help change the systems that often fail our communities.
Treaty is a pathway forward for justice, nation building, and redemption for the harms perpetuated through colonisation. I started my career as a lawyer in commercial litigation, and also worked at the Supreme Court. I later got involved in legal policy, working on the protection of Aboriginal cultural rights. I later played a leading role in the systemic inquiry into the over-incarceration of Aboriginal children, named Our Youth, Our way. More recently, my first government role had me leading and coordinating responses and evidence gathering for the historic Yoorrook Justice Commission.
Now in the Treaty making era, I am honoured to be undertaking this important duty as a Member of the Treaty Authority, ensuring that the process we safeguard is fair, operates with integrity, and delivers mutual benefit for all Victorians.
New Research
Our Research team has been working to produce outputs that advance treaty-making. These include:
- Common Questions on Modern Indigenous-State Treaty-Making
- A Family of Families: Indigenous Nationhood
- Overseas Treaty Benefits and Costs
Get in touch
Are you a Traditional Owner interested in finding out more about treaty? Email [email protected] or call 1300 133 033.
The Treaty Authority acknowledges First Peoples as sovereign peoples throughout the lands and waters now known as Victoria and across Australia. We pay deep respect to all Traditional Owners, their lands, waters and skies, their Elders and ancestors, languages, family and clan groups, and their Law, Lore, customs and traditions.
Photo credits (from top-bottom/ L-R): Dr Petah Atkinson & Jidah Clark, Treaty: It’s Here concert, credit Leandro Palacio DPC; Treaty Authority Members, credit Safiah Rind; and Jidah Clark, credit Luke Currie-Richardson.
