Critics and detractors of an Australian-first statewide treaty agreement are being told they have nothing to fear.
Under a statewide treaty bill introduced to Victorian parliament on Tuesday, the state's Indigenous representative body would be made permanent.
It would be granted decision-making powers on initiatives and services relevant to Aboriginal Victorians and must be consulted on related laws and policies, acting as a voice to parliament.
The in-principle agreement is a nationwide first and follows 10 months of negotiations between the government and First Peoples' Assembly of Victoria.
Premier Jacinta Allan said current practices and systems were not working to improve the lives of Aboriginal people, pointing to stagnating and worsening Closing the Gap outcomes.
None of the