General News
22 April, 2026
Barrister claims treaty hijacks democracy
FARMERS from across Loddon and North Central areas have been told the Victorian Treaty will change the way the state is governed.
FARMERS from across Loddon and North Central areas have been told the Victorian Treaty will change the way the state is governed.
Barrister Lana Collaris said the treaty was dangerous and diabolic in her address to a Victorian Farmers’ Federation meeting in St Arnaud last week.
More than 90 people attended the meeting, including members of the Wedderburn VFF branch.
She accused the State Government of hijacking the meaning of treaty to push a co-government system of democracy.
“The (treaty) act is quite similar to a founding constitution ... and creates different political classes,” she said. “The treaty violates the Westminster principles and of responsible and accountable government. (It has) a lack of oversight and secretive process.”
Ms Collaris said: “It’s rewriting history and what will be taught to children.”
VFF president Brett Hosking said the organisation had pushed back on the treaty “but the reality is it’s numbers in Parliament. We need to change that.”
St Arnaud VFF branch president Colin Coates said Victorians needed to be “very careful” where implementation of the treaty went and said the Australian flag had already been dropped from some correspondence sent by government departments.
Read More: Loddon Shire