Hansard debates

Anthony CARBINES (Ivanhoe – Leader of the House, Minister for Police, Minister for Community Safety, Minister for Victims, Minister for Racing) (10:18): Under the Statewide Treaty Act 2025, I table a statement of treaty compatibility:

In my opinion, the Bill is compatible with the matters set out in section 66(3)(d) of the Statewide Treaty Act ‍2025. I base my opinion on the reasons outlined in this statement.

Overview of the Bill

1. The Victoria Police Amendment (Police Reservists) Bill 2026 includes reforms to establish a modern police reservist framework that enhances operational flexibility and Victoria Police frontline workforce capacity. The Bill reinstates the Chief Commissioner of Police’s (CCP) power to appoint reservists and makes supporting and consequential amendments to enable the effective operation of the reservist scheme.

Consultation with the First Peoples’ Assembly of Gellung Warl

2. Due to the recent establishment of the First Peoples’ Assembly of Gellung Warl, it was not possible to give the First Peoples’ Assembly the opportunity to advise on the Bill or for them to otherwise make representations about the effect of the Bill on First Peoples.

Compatibility of the Bill with each of the objects in section 66(3)(d) of the Statewide Treaty Act 2025

3. I have considered whether the Bill is compatible with the objects at section 66(3)(d) of the Statewide Treaty Act 2025:

3.1 advancing the inherent rights and self‑determination of First Peoples; and

3.2 addressing the unacceptable disadvantage inflicted on First Peoples by the historic wrongs and ongoing injustices of colonisation; and

3.3 ensuring the equal enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by First Peoples.

4. In considering the compatibility of this Bill, I have considered the effects of the criminal justice system on First Peoples, which may result in the unequal enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms by First Peoples as compared to other Victorians. For example, despite efforts under the Closing the Gap National Agreement and related efforts under the Aboriginal Justice Agreement, First Peoples remain significantly overrepresented across the criminal justice system. The Yoorrook Justice Commission’s Yoorrook for Justice report found this was in part driven by a ‘pattern of systemically racist policing’ noting that while this ‘does not characterise the whole of policing in Victoria, it is widespread and ingrained’. To address any unequal enjoyment of rights that result from the disproportionate effects of the criminal justice system on First Peoples in progressing any policing reforms the government has regard to the role of policing in driving contact with the justice system. This requires a continued focus on working closely with First Peoples communities to ensure appropriate recruitment, training and standards to improve cultural capability throughout Victoria Police.

5. Having regard to these considerations, I have considered whether the reforms in this Bill compound the effects set out above and increase unequal enjoyment of rights for First Peoples, and I have formed the view that they do not. The reforms in this Bill are constrained to addressing police resourcing allocations, rather than the training and capability of the police workforce and its related impact on overrepresentation. The proposed scheme will involve the recruitment of reservists performing support and administrative tasks rather than frontline functions.

6. Accordingly, in my opinion, the Bill does not affect any of the objects specified in section 66(3)(d)(i)–(iii) of the Statewide Treaty Act 2025 and is therefore compatible with each of those objects.

The Hon. Anthony Carbines MP

Minister for Police

Minister for Community Safety

Minister for Victims

Minister for Racing

Leader of the House