Australia’s first formal treaty with Indigenous traditional owners passed in Victoria

The First Peoples’ Assembly co-chairs, Ngarra Murray and Rueben Berg, in the Victorian parliament earlier this month. The Australian state has become the first to pass a formal treaty with Indigenous traditional owners. Photograph: James Ross/AAP

The Australian state of Victoria has taken a historic step towards reconciliation, passing the nation’s first formal treaty with Indigenous traditional owners.

After two days of debate, the upper house of Victoria’s parliament passed the statewide treaty bill without amendment by 21 votes to 16, just before 9pm on Thursday.