Victoria will legislate for permanent First Peoples’ Assembly later this year

<p>Body will be able to advise government and make decisions on issues directly affecting Aboriginal people in the state</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2025/jul/04/victoria-daisy-hill-ebikes-anthony-albanese-sussan-ley-labor-coalition-politics-updates-ntwnfb">Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates</a></p></li><li><p>Get our <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=cvau_sfl">breaking news email</a>, <a href="https://app.adjust.com/w4u7jx3">free app</a> or <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/series/full-story?CMP=cvau_sfl">daily news podcast</a></p></li></ul><p>The Victorian government will introduce a bill to parliament later this year to make the First Peoples’ Assembly permanent, giving it authority to make decisions and set rules on issues directly affecting Aboriginal people in the state.</p><p>As <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jul/01/first-peoples-assembly-set-to-become-permanent-voice-to-victorian-parliament-with-crossbench-support">first reported by Guardian Australia earlier this week</a>, the Victorian government and the First Peoples’ Assembly have confirmed the statewide treaty bill will establish the assembly as an ongoing representative body to provide advice to government.</p><p><strong><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/email-newsletters?CMP=copyembed">Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email</a></strong></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jul/04/victoria-will-legislate-for-permanent-first-peoples-assembly-later-this-year">Continue reading...</a>