Historic treaty paves way for future agreements

An Australian-first statewide treaty offers a template for other governments to take lessons and implement their own, but an expert warns more work needs to happen before they get to that point.

Victoria has become the first jurisdiction to introduce treaty legislation to parliament, paving the way for a formal agreement between the state's Indigenous people and the government.

The historic feat marks 10 years of patient work developing institutions and structures through which conversations could take place, UNSW law associate professor Harry Hobbs said.

Under the framework, an Indigenous representative body will be made permanent and granted decision-making powers on initiatives and services relevant to Aboriginal Victorians.

The body will be able to propose name changes for specifie