A Victorian university has announced plans to pursue a treaty with the Traditional Owners of the land it occupies - the first agreement of its kind in the state.
Swinburne University of Technology confirmed it is working toward a treaty with the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation (WWWCHAC). The announcement comes as the Victorian Parliament debates the historic Treaty bill this week.
Professor John Evans, Pro Vice-Chancellor for Indigenous Engagement at Swinburne, said formally recognising and prioritising a relationship grounded in respect and accountability with the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Traditional Owners was a "vital step in rethinking what reconciliation means".
"It's not symbolic, it's structural, local and long overdue," he said.
He said the announcement marked a milestone not only for Swinburne University but for higher education more broadly across the state.
Swinburne, which has campuses in Hawthorn, Croydon and Wantirna, said the treaty represents a major shift in its reconciliation approach by placing local relationships at the centre. Over the past decade, the university has delivered three Reconciliation Action Plans - including two at the highest "Elevate" level under Reconciliation Australia.
Those plans have led to the establishment of the Moondani Toombadool Centre (MTC) and a fourfold increase in First Nations enrolments. The university has also introduced Indigenous Learning Circles across all three campuses, launched Australia's first Indigenous Student Charter, and developed a First Nations Procurement Strategy that has directed millions of dollars to Indigenous-owned businesses.
"This new direction represents an evolution of our reconciliation work," Professor Evans said.
"We will continue to honour and implement our existing reconciliation commitments while deepening our local engagement with Wurundjeri Elders and communities."
National Indigenous Times has contacted WWWCHAC for comment.
In a statement, Swinburne said its new Reconciliation Action Plan, alongside the treaty, would continue to "strengthen reconciliation initiatives to promote economic participation, skills development and cultural recognition through practical, community-led approaches."
The university added that, together with Wurundjeri Elders and Indigenous partners, it is "setting a new benchmark for reconciliation in higher education, one that places truth-telling and Treaty at the centre of its identity and actions."
This week, the Victorian Parliament heard from the leaders of the First Peoples' Assembly about the historic Treaty bill. It is likely to pass with support from the crossbench.
Assembly Co-Chair Ngarra Murray said Treaty marked an end to governments treating Aboriginal people as political pawns.
"The time for paternalistic Governments making decisions on behalf of our people ends with this Treaty", the Wamba Wamba, Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung and Dhudhuroa woman said.
"No longer will policies be made about us, without us. Our people will no longer tolerate being the political football that politicians kick around looking to further their own selfish interests."
