Treaty negotiators win human rights award despite uncertainty over landmark document

The negotiators behind Victoria’s statewide treaty have won a human rights award months out from a state election that could result in the historic agreement being ripped up.Liberty Victoria, the group behind the annual Voltaire award, has described treaty as a defining moment in the state’s history and backed the agreement between the state and First Nations people ahead of the November election, as Labor’s biggest opponents pledge to wind it back if they form government.Mutti Mutti and Wamba Wamba man Jason Kelly puts his hand print on the kangaroo-skin Treaty document at its signing in December.Justin McManusThe treaty negotiation process was finalised in late 2025 after negotiations between the state and the First Peoples’ Assembly, an elected body that represents Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Victorians.One outcome of the agreement was that the assembly would sit within a new independent statutory body named Gellung Warl, a permanent accountability commission that can conduct inquiries and make representations to ministers, departmental secretaries and both houses of parliament.Liberty Victoria awarded the First Peoples’ Assembly the 2026 Voltaire Human Rights Award in recognition of the work behind Gellung Warl and the broader treaty process.Liberty Victoria president Gemma Cafarella said the First Peoples’ Assembly had achieved extraordinary things in a very short time.First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria co-chairs Djaran Murray-Jackson (left) and Meriki Onus.Justin McManus“The first statewide treaty is one of the most defining moments in Australia’s history since invasion,” Cafarella said.“Treaty creates a pathway for First Peoples’ ways of knowing, being and doing to shape outcomes for First Peoples and the entire community, to the benefit of us all. It also changes the dynamic and power structures between the state and First Peoples. It is hugely powerful.“The statewide treaty is just the first step. I am incredibly excited about the work that the First Peoples’ Assembly will do.“In this state election year, it is crucial that we keep talking about treaty and keep supporting the First Peoples’ Assembly’s groundbreaking work.”Cafarella’s remarks about the state election come at a time when Labor, whose government started and signed the treaty process, is at serious risk of losing government to rivals who oppose the policy.The latest Resolve Political Monitor places Labor and the Coalition both on a primary vote of 27 per cent, with One Nation third on 22 per cent.Opposition Leader Jess Wilson has committed that a Coalition government would axe treaty within 100 days of being elected, and said the agreement created an unnecessary layer of bureaucracy.One Nation has also committed to repeal the agreement.In a statement, Gellung Warl co-chairs Djaran Murray-Jackson and Meriki Onus said the award also recognised the work of generations of Aboriginal people fighting for legislative change.“First Peoples are the experts on our own lives, we know what does and doesn’t work for our communities,” they said.“Gellung Warl is how we make the most of our local expertise to come up with and deliver practical solutions that get better outcomes for our people.“This is why our people chose treaty as the pathway forward to creating a better future.”Previous Voltaire award recipients include disability advocate Dylan Alcott, actor and same-sex marriage campaigner Magda Szubanski and journalist Peter Greste.Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.From our partners