Co-Chair of the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, Ngarra Murray, will not seek re-election in this year's Treaty elections, ending a three-year tenure during which she helped oversee the signing of Australia's first Treaty.
In an open letter to the community, the Wamba Wamba, Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung and Dhudhuroa woman said she was stepping down as the Assembly enters a "new and historic chapter in the journey of First Peoples and the broader Victorian Community".
"Serving as Co-chair of the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria has been one of the greatest honours of my life and advancing the first Treaty in Australia is a responsibility I will always carry with deep humility and pride," she said.
"Thank you to my family and Community for carrying me through the weight of this work and for your patience, big love, and the sacrifices made so I could give my all to Treaty. Nothing I have done was done alone, and I am forever grateful."
Ms Murray served on both the inaugural Assembly and the second term, the latter as Co-Chair alongside Gunditjmara man Rueben Berg. She said she was "grateful for the trust our people placed in me", and that when they began, "we carried a vision that many said was impossible".
"Today, that vision stands as a reality with the first Treaty in Australia signed," she said, arguing Treaty would enable communities with local knowledge to "come up with and deliver solutions for our Communities".
"This means we can get better outcomes because Aboriginal people know what does and doesn't work for us."
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Last year, the Assembly and the Victorian Government signed the first Treaty in the nation's history. While many welcomed the agreement, the state opposition opposed it, saying it would not help close the gap and pledging to scrap it if elected later this year.
Ms Murray rejected that view, saying Treaties are about "practical change that improves the livelihoods of our people and strengthens the health, well-being and prosperity of our Communities".
"In a time of deep political division, the Assembly is a principled democratic practice from which mainstream politics can learn," she said, adding that Treaty is not only part of Victoria's story but also part of "our future".
She said the Assembly's work has helped shape Victoria's path to Treaty while setting a benchmark for Indigenous-led treaty-making nationally and internationally, supported by dialogue with First Nations leaders from British Columbia, New Zealand (Aotearoa), Timor-Leste and the United States of America.
"Treaty has shifted the ground," Ms Murray said, "and reflects a State mature enough to confront its history, courageous enough to take action to reshape its future, and committed to walking a new path grounded in respect, strong relationships, Treaties, truth-telling and self-determination for First Peoples."
The Assembly is now preparing for its third election, running from March 21 to April 12, to choose 34 members across general and reserved seats.
Those elected will sit under Gellung War — meaning "tip of the spear" in Gunaikurnai — forming a new Aboriginal governance structure. Alongside a permanent truth-telling body and an accountability commission, the Assembly will oversee policies aimed at closing the gap in Victoria.
Ms Murray encouraged Traditional Owners to nominate, saying, "When so many of our Elders were denied the right to vote and had decisions about their lives made on their behalf, we all have a responsibility to get involved to make sure Treaty delivers for First Peoples."
"The position of an Elected Member is significant, but you will be supported by your people and surrounded by your peers," she said.
