Inquiry brings treaty closer
Queensland’s landmark First Nations truth-telling inquiry will begin within weeks following the confirmation of longawaited treaty appointments.
The state government this week formalised legislation to kick off the truth-telling and healing inquiry more than a year after the historic laws were passed with bipartisan support.
Respected barrister Joshua Creamer, a Waanyi and Kalkadoon man with expertise in native title, has been appointed to chair the five-member inquiry, with work to begin on July 1.
The other inquiry members are former Supreme Court justice Roslyn Atkinson, co-chair of the truth and treaty body Cheryl Buchanan, Indigenous lawyer Ivan Ingram, and Torres Strait Regional Authority CEO Vonda Malone.
The interim body’s other cochair, Mick Gooda, who voiced frustration at the delays to kickstart the process, does not feature on the inquiry or the treaty council.
The inquiry will travel Queensland to investigate incidents or issues that were inflicted on First Nations people, to form the basis of the truth behind treaty claims.
It will be the first step in the path towards treaty to ensure that any claims are based on facts prosecuted by the inquiry, but it is understood that treaties will be able to run adjacent to the inquiry’s hearings once particular First Nations groups complete their truth-telling.
The First Nations Treaty Institute, an independent statutory body, will also guide truthtelling and healing, and inform the next stage of the treaty process in Queensland.
The government has faced widespread criticism for failing to move ahead with the treaty process, with this week’s proclamation of the laws taking place more than a year after sailing through parliament and leaving the inquiry less than four months of operational time ahead of the state election.
Despite voting in favour of the laws, Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has since withdrawn the LNP’s support for treaty in Queensland, saying it would create “further division”.