Millions of Australians could get a new public holiday: What you need to know

Victorians may soon get a new holiday to celebrate Indigenous culture as negotiations on a statewide treaty officially begin.

The holiday would commemorate the date a treaty is signed and celebrate the state’s diverse indigenous cultures and languages.

Ngarra Murray, co-chair of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, explained to the ABC that the public holiday proposal came from a desire to integrate Aboriginal culture more deeply into everyday life.

“A day that is all about inclusivity so we can all celebrate together as a community,” Ms Murray said in October.

‘Because the treaty is not just about people, it is about all the peoples who live here in our country.’

Negotiations for Australia’s first treaty with Aboriginal people between the Victorian government and the First Peoples’ Assembly officially started on Thursday.

The Treaty Authority will monitor the talks and act as an independent referee.

Prime Minister Jacinta Allan said the treaty was an opportunity to create a better, fairer society for all Victorians, but admitted talks would be difficult.

“I remain very positive about these negotiations,” she said.

“We consider the challenges and consequences of the unbroken line of injustice caused by that initial colonial dispossession.”

Ms Allan refused to give a timeframe on how long the talks could last, saying a final agreement would not be binding and would need to be ticked off by Parliament.

Earlier last month, the meeting made clear that it expects substantial decision-making functions.

“We want a process and a timeline to give the Assembly real decision-making powers on First People’s affairs,” the First People’s Assembly said in its annual report.

“It will be the mafia that makes decisions about the mafia.”

In addition, the Assembly will assert an advisory role to the government on policies that go beyond those primarily affecting Aboriginal people.

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan says her government is fully committed to implementing a treaty

“Where decisions are not primarily about the mafia but still impact us, we want the Assembly to be able to ensure that Victorian Government and Public Service Ministers receive direct advice from First Peoples,” the report said .

The Assembly will also seek ‘the power to hold the Victorian Government to account on its promises and the ability to scrutinize policies, practices and services to ensure they are in order and make the mafia happen’.

A treaty should also set out how and when the recommendations of the ‘truth-telling’ Yoorrook Justice Commission will be implemented.

Modeled on the ‘Truth and Reconciliation’ hearings in post-apartheid South Africa, Yoorrook has the same powers as a royal commission and can subpoena documents and summon witnesses.

Although it does not exercise judicial power, it can refer information about alleged crimes to law enforcement authorities.