The Victorian government is rapidly expanding the Treaty Victoria process through the creation of new bureaucracies, advisory bodies and legal structures. While supporters argue these reforms are about reconciliation, the Libertarian Party believes Victoria's treaty process risks creating more government waste, more division and more bureaucracy without delivering practical improvements for ordinary people.
The Libertarian position is simple: all Victorians should be equal under the law, regardless of race or background.
The proposed Treaty for Victoria is being driven through the First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria, the Treaty Authority and other government-created structures designed to oversee ongoing Treaty negotiations between the Victorian government and various Aboriginal organisations.
Libertarians argue this growing Victoria Treaty Bureaucracy risks repeating many of the mistakes seen in New Zealand, where treaty-based systems have created layers of expensive administration, legal disputes and racial division.
Victorians Already Rejected Division by Race
Many Victorians believed they had already given their answer at the federal Voice referendum, where Victoria voted No by 54 per cent.
Victorian Libertarian leader David Limbrick said many people are shocked that the state government is continuing down a similar path despite that result.
"Many Victorians will be shocked that it even happened because they thought they voted against this kind of thing at the federal referendum."
The Libertarian Party argues that creating separate political and legal structures based on race undermines equality before the law and risks long-term social division.
Growing Opposition to Victoria's Treaty
Recent polling by the Institute of Public Affairs found strong opposition to the treaty process among Victorians. According to the survey:
- only 37 per cent supported a treaty
- 42 per cent opposed it outright
- support fell even further when people learned more details about the proposal
The polling also found:
- 61 per cent opposed the treaty after reviewing information from government documents
- 79 per cent of Coalition voters opposed it
- most Victorians rejected the creation of race-based political structures
Libertarians believe this demonstrates growing public concern about the direction of Victoria Treaty negotiations.
More Bureaucracy, More Waste with the Victoria Treaty
The Libertarian Party also opposes the enormous cost and complexity of the treaty system.
The expanding treaty process involves:
- the First Peoples' Assembly
- new consultation bodies
- legal structures
- advisory panels
- additional public servants
- ongoing Treaty negotiations.
Libertarians argue this creates another expensive layer of government bureaucracy at a time when Victoria already faces massive debt and cost-of-living pressures.
Rather than spending more taxpayer money on treaty structures, Libertarians argue the state should focus on practical solutions that improve outcomes for all Victorians, including Indigenous Australians.
Concerns About Special Rights and Treaty Laws
The Libertarian Party believes all Australians should be treated equally before the law.
Victorian Libertarian leader David Limbrick warned against embedding race into the political and legal system.
"Pitting man against woman, black against white and Christian against Muslim is a recipe for social chaos. All Australians are valuable and should be treated equally under the law."
Libertarians are concerned the treaty process could create:
- race-based governance
- special rights
- separate political structures
- expanding treaty laws
- increased legal conflict.
The party also warns that empowering unelected organisations through Traditional Owner Treaty structures risks creating new elites and divisions within Indigenous communities themselves.
Victoria Treaty Waste and Public Land Concerns
Libertarians also warn that treaty arrangements may increasingly restrict access to public land and community spaces.
David Limbrick pointed to controversies involving climbing restrictions at the Grampians and Arapiles as examples of how race-based decision-making can create resentment and division. He warned:
"When people can no longer do things that they have enjoyed with their families for years, you create enormous resentment, not reconciliation."
The party argues that growing treaty bureaucracy risks making ordinary Victorians feel excluded from decisions affecting public land, planning and cultural heritage.
The Libertarian Alternative to the Treaty for Victoria
The Libertarian Party supports equal rights, individual liberty and practical measures that improve lives regardless of race.
Rather than expanding the Treaty Act, creating more bureaucracy and increasing government spending, Libertarians believe Victoria should:
- reduce wasteful spending
- improve economic opportunity (through more freedom and less government)
- strengthen education and employment
- support local communities
- treat all citizens equally under the law.
The Libertarian position is that unity, equality and freedom are better for creating stronger communities than division, bureaucracy and identity politics.
Victoria does not need more race-based government structures. It needs less bureaucracy, less waste and more freedom for every Victorian.