Philanthropy backs Treaty: open letter urges Parliament to pass landmark legislation

Opening of Treaty Negotiations. Photo credit: Leroy Miller, First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria

2 October 2025
Reichstein Foundation

News

Thirty-three philanthropic funders have signed an open letter to the Victorian Government commending its work with the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria to deliver Australia’s first Treaty. The letter urges swift action to enshrine Treaty in law.

Together with our philanthropic peers, the Reichstein Foundation welcomes the historic steps already taken — from the release of the Statewide Treaty to the introduction of the Bill in Parliament. First Peoples have been calling for Treaty for generations, and the Assembly has spent the past six years consulting with community and negotiating with government to bring this vision closer to reality.

This is our chance to embed justice and self-determination into the fabric of Victoria’s democracy and set an example for the rest of the country. We stand with the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, the Yoorrook Justice Commission and communities across the state in this historic push for Treaty.

If you’d like to add your foundation to the list of signatories, please email info@reichstein.org.au.

Open Letter in Support of Treaty in Victoria

The Honourable Jacinta Allan MP
The Honourable Natalie Hutchins MP

Dear Premier and Minister for Treaty and First Peoples

We are a group of Australian funders proud to walk alongside First Peoples on the path towards Treaty in Victoria.

We welcome the Victorian Government’s commitment to uncovering the truth of colonisation through the Yoorrook Justice Commission, and its work with the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria to deliver Australia’s first Treaty with First Nations Peoples.

First Peoples have been calling for Treaty for decades, and we applaud the work of the Assembly and government in bringing that vision closer to reality. This is an historic moment for our state and our country.

The philanthropic sector has long supported First Nations organisations and initiatives. We have seen first-hand that stronger, fairer and more durable outcomes are achieved when First Peoples are in the driver’s seat, making the decisions that affect their communities, culture and Country.

We remain committed to supporting First Nations organisations and communities and believe that the foundation of self-determination laid by Treaty in Victoria will lead to better outcomes across health, education, justice, environmental protection and beyond.

Together with the Victorian Government and First Nations peoples, our organisations stand ready to play our part in supporting Treaty and the creation of a fair society for generations to come.

We support the Treaty legislation before Parliament and urge your Government, and the whole Parliament, to act without delay to pass and enshrine this historic reform agenda.

Signed,

Reichstein Foundation

Paul Ramsay Foundation

Oranges & Sardines Foundation

The WeirAnderson Foundation

Australian Communities Foundation

Ethinvest Foundation

Community Impact Foundation

Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation

Mannifera Collective

The Pater Charitable Fund

Annamila First Nations Foundation