First Nations leaders renew push for national treaty and truth-telling, urging federal leadership

First Nations leaders, Elders, advocates and allies have renewed calls for a federal pathway to Treaty and truth-telling, arguing national leadership is needed to avoid fragmented recognition and uneven progress across states and territories.

The push follows the Together for Treaty National Summit held in Naarm/Melbourne, where more than 350 participants gathered and summit organisers issued an open letter to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese calling for a properly resourced, First Nations-led national process.

ABC News reported the letter argues many of the decisions that most affect First Nations peoples (including those involving Country, water, climate and cultural heritage) sit with the federal government. It warns that without a federal framework, “responsibility is fragmented and recognition remains inconsistent.”

National Indigenous Times reported summit organisers, hosted by the First Nations-led organisation Common ThreadsCommon Threads described a “unifying federal-level Treaty and truth-telling process” as “critical”. The open letter states: “A federal Treaty means consistency, that First Nations communities are in the driver’s seat on decisions that impact them and that First Nations knowledge can help shape a better future for everyone.”

Common Threads CEO Larissa Baldwin-Roberts said: “People are ready for federal leadership that matches the scale of this moment.” She added: “At a time when far-right voices are trying to divide communities, wind back progress and create fear, we need a clear and ambitious national pathway towards justice and healing.”

The renewed call comes amid a complex national landscape. Victoria has progressed its treaty framework, while other jurisdictions have paused or reshaped their approaches and debate continues over what the 2023 referendum result should mean for the broader Uluru Statement agenda of Voice, Treaty and Truth.

Health and social policy advocates have argued Treaty and truth-telling are not symbolic add-ons, but practical mechanisms for improving decision-making and accountability, including in areas such as child protection, justice, housing and access to culturally safe services.

The summit’s core message is that national coordination matters: without it, reforms can be reversed with election cycles and communities face different levels of recognition depending on where they live. Organisers are urging the Commonwealth to take responsibility for the areas it controls and to provide consistent, long-term commitments that match the scale of the challenge.