New First Nations advocacy group Common Threads charts path forward after Voice referendum

A new First Nations-led advocacy organisation is working to place community conversations on climate, Country, social justice, treaty and truth-telling back on the national agenda – more than two years after the failed Voice to Parliament referendum.

Common Threads was co-founded by Dr Jackie Huggins AO (Bidjara/Birri Gubba Juru), Larissa Baldwin-Roberts (Widjabul Wia-bul/Bundjalung) and Amelia Telford (Bundjalung and South Sea Islander). The organisation officially launched as an independent non-profit in 2025 and is building national campaigns for truth, treaties, land rights and climate justice.

In February more than 350 First Nations leaders, Elders and advocates gathered in Naarm for the Together for Treaty National Summit hosted by Common Threads. At the summit they renewed their call for the federal government to commit to a national treaty and truth-telling process.

In an open letter to the Prime Minister the leaders praised Victoria for its Treaty process – finalised last year – and urged the government to begin what they described as a critical unifying federal-level process.

Dr Huggins said a federal Treaty is long overdue and that First Nations communities have been calling for it for decades.

“We’re saying to the Albanese government: it is time to expedite a process towards Treaty and truth-telling now,” the Bidjara and Birri-Gubbu Juru woman said.

Common Threads CEO Larissa Baldwin-Roberts said there is widespread organised support for truth-telling and treaties across the country.

“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” Ms Baldwin-Roberts said.

The organisation has also announced a summit for 2026 where more than 500 First Nations changemakers will connect to share skills and build strategy for action. Common Threads received a National NAIDOC Innovation Award nomination recognising its work to build Indigenous power and drive systemic change.

Opponents of treaties and truth-telling – including some conservatives – argue the 2023 referendum result should have ended such calls. But Common Threads maintains that momentum is growing.