16 October 2025
This week, debate commenced in the Victorian Legislative Assembly for the Statewide Treaty Bill, a critical part in the process towards legislating Treaty in Victoria.
As the lead voice for Aboriginal children and the leading provider of Aboriginal child and family services in Victoria, the Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) welcomes this next step.
VACCA CEO Muriel Bamblett said, “This is an opportunity to ensure that decisions made for Aboriginal communities are made by Aboriginal people, particularly the Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations who have worked in the community services sector for decades.”
“Since 1977, VACCA has advocated for self-determination and the rights of Aboriginal children and young people. We are committed to ensuring that Treaty continues the important work done so far, and closes the gap for Aboriginal Victorians,” Ms Bamblett continued.
The Victorian Opposition has announced a pledge to repeal Treaty legislation should it win government in November 2026.
“If the Opposition were serious about wanting to close the gap, they would talk to us about what works and be willing to acknowledge government initiatives that have proven outcomes for Aboriginal people in Victoria. Not once have they spoken to me,” Ms Bamblett said.
Citing statistics around child protection, the Opposition claimed that the Labor government had failed to deliver real change.
“The transfer of state power to Aboriginal organisations like ours has been evaluated and is proven to reduce the number of Aboriginal children living out of parental care significantly. The reason that over-representation is still so high is that only a small percentage of children have been transferred so far. Treaty can change that.”
“Where there have been successes, is where ACCOs are in the driver’s seat,” Ms Bamblett said. “Treaty provides an opportunity to build on those successes, based on evidence of what has worked not on what hasn’t.”
Ms Bamblett continued, “If the Opposition were genuine in their stated commitment to devolve decision-making to those on the ground addressing issues to close the gap, then why not offer that as an amendment to the Treaty Bill, rather than opposing the Treaty altogether?”
“The Opposition’s commitment to the establishment of a dedicated government department, First Nations Victoria, means nothing will change under them as there is already a government department in First People’s State Relations. Further the establishment of an Advisory Body is not an act of self-determination, it holds no real authority over decisions for Aboriginal Victorians.”
“ACCOs are already doing the work; now we need the systems around us to catch up. That’s how we’ll close the gap.”
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ABOUT VACCA - www.vacca.org
The Victorian Aboriginal Child and Community Agency (VACCA) is Victoria’s Peak Voice for Aboriginal children. We are the leading provider of Aboriginal child and family services, and the largest provider of services for Aboriginal family violence and homelessness. We have been supporting children, young people, and families in the community for over 47 years as an Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisation (ACCO).
Through our vision of self-determination – Live, Experience, and Be – we exist to support culturally strong, safe, and thriving Aboriginal communities. We deliver over 80 programs across Victoria including child and family services, family violence, support for stolen generations, child protection, cultural strengthening programs, mental health, financial services, justice and redress support, early years, and homelessness services.
We acknowledge the traditional owners of the lands on which we work. We pay our respects to their elders, past and present, and to their children and young people who are the future elders and caretakers of this great land.