Construction worker trades tools for treaty politics in victoria

Andrew Thorpe, a seasoned construction worker, has made a striking career pivot, abandoning his tools to pursue a seat in the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria – a groundbreaking body born from Australia’s first treaty between a state government and traditional owners. The move signals a significant shift in the landscape of Indigenous representation and self-determination, fueled by decades of activism within his own family.

A legacy of advocacy fuels new chapter

Thorpe’s decision isn’t born in a vacuum. His mother, independent Senator Lidia Thorpe, and uncle Robbie Thorpe have long been prominent figures in the fight for Aboriginal rights. For Thorpe, it’s a moment to “step up and be a part of it,” quitting his construction job last Friday to fully dedicate himself to campaigning. “Either if I get into the treaty – I want to be able to make changes that are beneficial for mob – or if I don’t get into the treaty, I’m still gonna be working directly with whatever I can to try and help our mob move forward,” he stated to Guardian Australia, demonstrating a firm commitment beyond electoral success.

Navigating a new political arena

While acknowledging his relative lack of prior leadership roles, Thorpe emphasizes his background as an active participant in the political arena. “I’ve always been around it [politics] and a part of it in the background, being an activist and going to all the rallies,” he explained. He’s now vying for a seat in the state's south-east region, bringing a unique perspective as a marathon runner and mental health advocate, known for facilitating crucial first aid courses in mental health for First Nations communities.

The gellung warl: a new era in indigenous governance

The First Peoples’ Assembly, officially named Gellung Warl, represents a unique model for Indigenous governance. This statutory body, established through the historic treaty, won’t possess legislative power, but will hold considerable influence. It will be able to question ministers, advise the government on policy proposals impacting First Nations people, and spearhead the implementation of treaty reforms – including vital changes to the history curriculum, targeted grant allocations for community infrastructure, and the adoption of dual-naming policies. The treaty also paves the way for local-level negotiations between traditional owners and the state.

A lone star in treaty progress

Victoria stands as a singular beacon of progress in Australia’s often-stalled treaty journey. While other governments have made pledges following the Uluru Statement from the Heart in 2017 and the subsequent failed referendum in 2023, New South Wales and the ACT remain in the preliminary discussion phase, and Tasmania abandoned its treaty process last year. South Australia, the only other state pursuing a treaty, has legislated a voice to parliament and committed to a broader truth-telling process. The recent election shifts in Queensland and the Northern Territory have effectively halted treaty progress in those regions, and the Victorian Liberal party has pledged to dismantle the treaty process within its first 100 days if elected.

The importance of lived experience

The First Peoples’ Assembly elections, currently underway with voting closing on April 12th, feature 70 candidates across five regions. Jarvis Atkinson, a candidate running in the north-east region, underscores the essential role of lived experience in representing the First Nations community. His own journey, marked by early entanglement with the justice system and periods of homelessness, informs his dedication to supporting young people in out-of-home care. “I will operate with empathy, I will operate knowing what someone is going through and it will definitely play a part in the weight of my opinion and my voice in that space,” he affirmed.

Meriki Onus, another candidate for the metro region, highlights the need for a “vision” within the Gellung Warl, emphasizing that “sovereignty has to be at the heart of everything that we do.” Her previous role as head of policy at the First Peoples’ Assembly provided her with a deep technical understanding of the treaty’s framework.

The commitment to self-determination, as articulated by Assembly co-chair Ngarra Murray, stands in stark contrast to the proposed approach by opposition leader Jess Wilson, who advocates for a new body reporting to a single minister. Murray dismissed such models as perpetuating “decades of talk without outcomes,” emphasizing that “putting decision-making in the hands of First Peoples” is the path to tangible progress.

With the Victorian election looming, the future of the treaty hangs in the balance. The outcome will determine whether the promise of genuine self-determination for Victoria’s First Peoples becomes a reality, or another broken pledge in a long history of unmet commitments.