The introduction of a Treaty bill into the Victorian Parliament has been welcomed as a proud and historic moment, with Traditional Owners describing it as a practical mechanism that will allow First Peoples to make decisions about their own lives.

On Tuesday, the state government and the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria — the state's democratically elected Indigenous body — unveiled the details of the Treaty bill, which is set to pass despite the Coalition's opposition.

Assembly co-chair Ngarra Murray said the moment marked the beginning of the "Treaty era".

"Now we stand at the beginning of a new era, the treaty era. We are at a turning point in this nation's history," she told reporters.

"Treaty offers us the chance to reshape the story of this country. So today is a historic day. Victoria has been on the journey to treaty for nearly a decade, but treaty is the culmination of many decades of activism and work."

'A once-in-a-century moment'

The Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations (FVTOC) described the announcement as historic, with interim CEO Kaley Nicholson calling it the result of centuries of advocacy.

"It is something Aboriginal communities have been calling for" for two centuries, and the "reason we're at this historic moment today," she said.

"The vision, courage and determination of our Ancestors, and the tireless efforts of those who have come before, have led us to this incredible moment.

"To see Treaty in my lifetime, today in Victoria, fills me with immense pride. And now, we can get on with the job of ensuring all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in Victoria have access to the same chance as anyone else to live safe and healthy lives."

Former Yoorrook Commissioner Travis Lovett called it a moment to remember, saying: "You can say, 'I was there, I witnessed history being made.'"

"After decades upon decades of protest, advocacy, resistance and truth-telling from our ancestors, Elders and community members, we stand at the point where their voices, struggles and vision have carried us," the Kerrupmara/Gunditjmara man said.

"Treaty is not just a word. It is justice; it is recognition; it is the next step in healing and creating a shared future built on truth. Treaty is here. Treaty now."

Accountability and healing

The 34-page report outlines reforms, including embedding Indigenous Truth-telling in the Victorian school curriculum from prep to Year 10, across both government and non-government schools, based on many of the findings outlined in the Yoorrook Justice Commission.

The inclusion of Truth-telling in the curriculum comes after the Yoorrook Justice Commission published "Truth be Told" — an official public record based on First Peoples' experiences of systemic injustice since the start of colonisation.

Assembly co-chair Rueben Berg, told reporters: "Until this year, we haven't had a resource that was a First Peoples-led resource to tell the story of our First Peoples' history throughout our own lens.

"We have that now with Yoorrook," he said.

Treaty will also establish Gellung Warl — meaning "tip of the spear" or "pointed spear" in Gunaikurnai — as the permanent representative and deliberative body for Traditional Owners and First Peoples in Victoria.

The First Peoples' Assembly will be embedded in this framework as a permanent body, with Gellung Warl futureproofed by an appropriation act to guarantee tens of millions of dollars in annual funding once fully operational.

Whilst the Assembly's role will be to advise the government, departments and agencies on all policy and programs impacting Indigenous people, the state will have the final say on whether they have to back their recommendations.

The Treaty framework will also create a standing Truth-telling body, Nyerna Yoorrook Telkuna — a Wamba Wemba phrase meaning "sitting and listening" — and an accountability body, Nginma Ngainga Wara — meaning "you will do" in Wadi Wadi language. The latter will hold the state accountable for commitments to closing the gap in health, education and economic outcomes.

Premier Jacinta Allan said governments had long spent "huge amounts of money" on First Nations programs without closing the gap, whilst Minister for First Peoples Natalie Hutchins added families thrived when they had control over their lives.

"Families are better off when we give them the responsibilities over their own lives, and Aboriginal families are no different," she said.

"Treaty makes sense because Aboriginal people get to have a say in how the services are run. We know, from years of experience, when an Aboriginal service delivers and runs a service directly, that has been designed and delivered by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for their community, the outcomes are better."

A practical path forward

Ms Nicholson, also an Assembly Reserved Seat holder representing the Taungurung Land and Waters Council Aboriginal Corporation, said Treaty offered a way to streamline programs and deliver real outcomes.

"Aboriginal people still sleep rough on the land where our Ancestors' thousand-year-old stone houses still stand. In a society like Victoria, that's completely unacceptable," she said.

"Aboriginal communities have taken care of ourselves for thousands of years, and now, through Treaty, we can continue to do so. And when Aboriginal People live good lives, strong in culture, everyone's better off."

The Treaty negotiations have been overseen by the Treaty Authority over the past nine months. Chairperson Jidah Clark said the relationship between First Peoples and the state was "characterised by a long history of injustice and broken promises".

"As we prepare to witness the country's first-ever Treaty be realised, we hope all Victorians will find pride in a renewed and fairer relationship between First Peoples and the State," the Djab Wurrung man said.

"Treaties are living documents. They provide a foundation that can be built upon as our societies learn, grow and change. Future generations will inherit a fairer, more just Victoria."