Raising the age a priority for newly elected First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria leaders

Eleven first-time members chosen as results reignite debate about representation of traditional owners

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Victorian Indigenous leaders who will negotiate the state’s nation-first treaty will push to overhaul how traditional owners are represented, raising the age of criminal responsibility and boosting First Nations peoples’ involvement in protecting the environment.

The First Peoples’ Assembly election results were finalised on Saturday evening, with 22 general members elected to represent Indigenous Victorians in treaty negotiations with the Andrews government this year. The state-wide treaty could lead to changes to Victoria’s institutional structures, including the criminal justice system.

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