‘We are so far behind’: Lynda Edwards says Indigenous voice could spur action on NSW treaty

Lynda Edwards, who was named the NSW premier’s woman of the year and Aboriginal woman of the year, suggested the voice could ‘lead the way for treaty’. Photograph: Salty Dingo

The New South Wales premier’s woman of the year says the state is “so far behind everyone else” on a treaty with First Nations people, suggesting a federal voice could lead to action despite a declaration by a Coalition minister that it is not on the agenda.

Lynda Edwards received the title on Thursday, when she was also named the NSW Aboriginal woman of the year by Dominic Perrottet for her work advocating for the financial rights of First Nations people and working to reform the financial sector to better serve them.