Election clouds future of historic First Peoples treaty

Hailed as "two worlds" coming together to forge deeper understanding, the signing of Victoria's nation-first treaty marked a historic moment once thought impossible.

But less than a year on, the state's Liberal-National coalition has flagged its intention to repeal the agreement within 100 days should it win the November 28 election.

It's a prospect that is anathema to human rights advocate Travis Lovett, who served as deputy chair and commissioner of Australia's first formal, Indigenous-led truth-telling inquiry, the Yoorrook Justice Commission.

Such a move would trigger community devastation across Victoria, he tells AAP.

"It would cause a lot of trauma towards First Peoples again if the treaty was abolished," he says.

Formalised last October, the Statewide Treaty Act 2025 marked a groundbreaking shift in relations between First Peoples and the Victorian government.

The bill followed almost a year of negotiations with the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria at the end of the Yoorrook truth-telling inquiry exposing mistreatment of Aboriginal people since colonisation.

Yoorrook called for redress for post-colonisation pain and suffering through restitution of traditional land, monetary compensation, tax relief or other financial benefits.

Premier Jacinta Allan said at the time the treaty created a living partnership with the world's oldest continuing culture.

"Today is a recognition that ancient systems of law and the modern institutions of our democracy can stand side by side," she declared.

"But today also carries a deeper meaning; it is quite literally two worlds meeting in respect and in partnership."

However, as Victorians prepare to head to the polls, the treaty's future is unclear.

Opposition Leader Jess Wilson and shadow Aboriginal affairs minister Melina Bath have vowed to scrap the treaty framework and abandon the signed agreement if they win office.

They plan to replace the independent representative body Gellung Warl with First Nations Victoria - a new government department overseen by a single minister and a separate advisory body that would work directly with Indigenous communities.