Victorian Treaty Negotiators Receive Human Rights Award Amid Election Threat

In Victoria, Australia, negotiators from the First Peoples’ Assembly received the 2026 Voltaire Human Rights Award for their work establishing a statewide treaty and the Gellung Warl accountability commission. Liberty Victoria presented the award recognizing the treaty as a defining moment in Australian history and praising the Assembly’s rapid progress. Gellung Warl, a new independent body, will allow First Nations people to directly inform policy and advocate for their communities.

The treaty’s future is uncertain as the November state election approaches. The current Labor government, which initiated the treaty process, faces a strong challenge from the Coalition and One Nation, both of whom have pledged to repeal the agreement if elected. The Resolve Political Monitor currently shows Labor and the Coalition tied at 27 percent of the primary vote, with One Nation at 22 percent.

The First Peoples’ Assembly views the treaty as a crucial step toward self-determination and practical solutions for their communities. The award also acknowledges the legacy of generations of Aboriginal people advocating for legislative change.