The Traditional Owners of this land are those who identify as
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

Sovereignty was never ceded.

ANTAR pays respect to Elders past, present, and emerging through our dedicated advocacy for First Nations Peoples’ justice and rights.

ANTAR acknowledges the responsibility of committing to a truth-telling process that promotes an honest and respectful path forward for future generations to build upon.

Enter website
1 minute

What is treaty?

Last edited: February 6, 2024

What are Treaties? Why are they important? What can they come to represent and where they might lead us together as reconciled peoples?

Treaty is an agreement.

Treaty is a legally binding settlement involving two or more parties, nations, groups, organisations or interests.

Treaty is reached after a process of negotiation and not merely consultation. Consultation can be understood as a one-way process. Negotiation, on the other hand, involves parties coming to the table as equals working towards a mutually beneficial resolution.

Read our downloadable, shareable resource What is Treaty?, for the full picture, including the history of treaty in Australia, what has happened elsewhere in the world, and a snapshot of where we are nationally. For more detail on what’s happening in your backyard, see our resources on treaty by state and territory.

Former Prime Minister Bob Hawke receiving the Barunga Statement from the the Northern and Central Land Councils (NT) in 1998, Getty Images.

Resources
Media Release
ANTAR Response to Closing the Gap Review Read
Media Release
Statement on the Vic Opposition dropping support for Treaty Read
Media Release
ANTAR Statement on the Referendum outcome Read
Background Paper
Approaches to Treaty in Victoria Read
More
Treaty
Treaty Tracing Treaty in Australia Read More
Treaty Where are we up to now? Read More
Treaty Treaty in the States & Territories Read More