Tuesday, 9 September 2025

Questions without notice and ministers statements

Ministers statements: treaty

Ben CARROLL (Niddrie – Minister for Education, Minister for WorkSafe and the TAC) (14:39): I rise to update the house on how Victoria’s first Statewide Treaty will support Victoria, the Education State. We know the Allan Labor government is on the side of families, and that includes First Nations families and their students. As the Premier said, we are part of the world’s oldest living continuous culture, and that means we have the world’s oldest living continuous intellectual tradition in the state of Victoria. In the Education State that means a great sense of humanity, emotional intelligence and great spirit that we can all learn from. I want to, as the Minister for Education, acknowledge the extraordinary strength and resilience of our First Nations people and their advocacy for a more equitable and just future, including justice in education.

Australia’s Aboriginal history and culture within the education system are crucial to building a better understanding while making sure we also grant Indigenous people a respected place in the Victorian and Australian story. Why? Because Aboriginal people are the best decision-makers because they know how policy affects them most. I am proud to be part of a government that is investing $156 million in the Marrung: Aboriginal Education Plan 2016–2026 – locally tailored First Nations curriculum resources and provisions of support and professional learning for schools developed alongside our Victorian Aboriginal community.

Why are we doing treaty? Because it is the key to a better understanding for all of us, and as the minister said, we are the only postcolonial Commonwealth nation that has not negotiated any formal treaty with its indigenous people. I am proud to be with the Premier and all ministers here today doing treaty, because we know and we should be proud that we have the world’s oldest living continuous culture right here in Victoria, the Education State, and we will make that part of the Education State story.