This session introduces Victoria’s Statewide Treaty Act 2025, described as the first Treaty of its kind in Australia and the beginning of a new “Treaty era” in Victoria. Presented by Mimi Marcus of Marcus Lane Group, the seminar explores what this landmark reform means for decision makers in the public sector, and particularly in the planning and environment space.

We begin by situating Treaty within contemporary Australia, including the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the broader concepts of Voice, Truth-telling and Constitutional Recognition. The session then traces Victoria’s nearly decade-long Treaty journey, culminating in the passage of the Statewide Treaty Act 2025 and the establishment of Gellung Warl, a permanent representative body for First Peoples.

Importantly, the seminar focuses on legislative and practical impacts: new consultation and compatibility requirements, oversight mechanisms, implications for planning and land management, and interaction with native title and cultural heritage laws. We conclude by addressing professional responsibilities, ethical considerations, and the standards of good faith and cultural capability expected of practitioners in this evolving Treaty framework.

 Speaker

Mimi Marcus, Principal, Marcus Lane Group Mimi Marcus is the founder of Marcus Lane Group, which she established six years ago. She is a senior planning and public law advocate advising and appearing for government, statutory authorities and private developers across complex planning, liquor, heritage and gaming matters. She regularly appears before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, Planning Panels Victoria and Advisory Committees. Mimi brings deep sector knowledge of Victoria’s planning and environmental regimes, together with long-standing relationships across the local government sector. Known for her calm, authoritative and pragmatic advocacy style, she advances persuasive, legally robust cases grounded in sound evidence and strategic judgment, and is a trusted advisor in high-stakes environments where discretion, integrity and clarity are essential.

Facilitator

Kat Smith MPIA, Senior Policy Officer, Planning Institute of Australia Kat is an urban planner with over over fifteen years of experience across local and state government as well as the private sector in Victoria. Kat is now Senior Policy Officer with PIA, working across the Victorian and national offices. Kat has a strong background in strategic planning and policy development, working across many areas of planning policy development and implementation, particularly in roles at the Victorian Planning Authority and Whittlesea City Council. Kat is particularly interested in building sound, evidence-based policy and advocacy to inform decision-making to drive outcomes that best serve the public interest.

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