First Peoples’ Assembly set to become permanent voice to Victorian parliament with crossbench support

Exclusive: Advisory body will be renamed and granted statutory powers after Labor secures numbers to make it permanent

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Victoria will have a permanent Indigenous voice to state parliament, with the progressive crossbench throwing their support behind a plan to allow the First Peoples’ Assembly’s work to continue following treaty.

Guardian Australia understands the Victorian government will introduce a treaty bill to parliament later this year, which will formalise the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria as an advisory body.

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