LNP Decision to Abandon Aboriginal ‘Truth-Telling’ Inquiry Draws Criticism
The newly-elected LNP government is poised to end the Queensland Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry and repeal the Path to Treaty legislation.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has announced that the newly-elected Liberal-National Party (LNP) government “won’t be allowing” the state’s Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry to proceed as planned next month.
This decision comes despite the party’s initial support for the Path to Treaty legislation in May last year.
The Inquiry commenced in July and was mandated to run for a duration of three years.
In the lead-up to the state election, Crisafulli stated that his government will not continue with the inquiry. He confirmed its cancellation late last week, stating that he did not want it to turn into a contentious issue like The Voice referendum.
“We have made a decision; it’s the right decision, and we stand by it. However, I don’t wish to upset people,” he informed reporters.
Crisafulli mentioned that more information will be forthcoming in the upcoming weeks. He assured Indigenous communities in the state that “we will do better for them than what they’ve had. We’ll provide them with the chance to own their home.”
“I want to convey that we are genuinely committed to delivering positive outcomes for Indigenous communities and Indigenous Queenslanders,” he emphasized.
Chair of the Inquiry Expresses Disappointment
Inquiry chairperson Joshua Creamer expressed feeling “blindsided” by the decision.
“I had no communication with the premier or his office before the [announcement] or afterward,” stated the Indigenous barrister.
“Halting the work midstream in a trauma-aware and healing-informed process with the community is highly detrimental,” he added.
Creamer disagreed with the premier, arguing that “people sharing their stories to document an accurate history of our state is not ‘divisive.'” The Inquiry will pause its activities until further information is provided, as Creamer has instructed his staff not to attend an upcoming meeting this weekend.
“If the inquiry is formally terminated, it will represent a missed opportunity for the state,” he remarked. “We may not get another chance at this in my lifetime.”
The independent Inquiry has conducted five public hearings since September to lay the groundwork for an eventual Treaty negotiation between the state and Indigenous communities, which may involve reparations.
On the final day of the hearings, the heads of seven Queensland government departments, including Police Commissioner Gollschewski, admitted to having “failed” Aboriginal people “for 160 years”, with some instances involving intentional harm.
Truth-Telling Process Faced Criticism
However, the process did encounter criticism. Indigenous leader Warren Mundine had cautioned that the Truth-telling process might exclude those who oppose the official narrative on colonialism.
“Your truth may differ from mine. Any restriction on free speech is a precarious path to tread,” he warned.
Meanwhile, Nick Dametto, deputy leader of Katter’s Australia Party (KAP), also voiced his opposition.
“This week I advocated for unity, not division, multiculturalism, not segregation,” he shared on Facebook.
“Australia should stand as one, not divided by attempts to give one race more influence than the others,” he added.
Daniel Y. Teng contributed to this article.
