Permanent Indigenous voice on the table as Victoria treaty negotiations ramp up

First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria co-chairs Ngarra Murray (right) and Rueben Berg. A permanent Indigenous voice to parliament would deliver ‘practical solutions for Aboriginal communities across the state’, Berg says. Photograph: Joel Carrett/AAP

A permanent Indigenous voice to parliament is being considered as part of treaty negotiations between the Victorian government and the state’s First Peoples’ Assembly.

On Monday, the two groups issued a joint statement outlining the topics to be discussed as part of negotiations that began in late November, which includes the “creation of an ongoing First Peoples’ representative body”.