Healing begins with truth

AXED TRUTH AND HEALING INQUIRY

Jules Foxlee

Journalist

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Local First Nations people have expressed bitter disappointment following the axing of the Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry by the LNP on November 4.

The Inquiry - a key stage of the Path to Treaty Act which in 2023 passed parliament with bipartisan support - held its first hearings in September this year.

Mr Crisafulli and the LNP, once supporters of the Inquiry, changed their minds after the defeat of the Voice Referendum in October 2023  in which nearly 70 percent of Queenslanders voted No.

In the lead-up to last month’s state election, then LNP leader David Crisafulli said his government would scrap the Inquiry and repeal the Path to Treaty Act.

"We don't believe embarking on that process will be one that unites the community, but we do believe we can do so much more. I want people to know we are going to do good things for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including home ownership," he said.

John Hartley. Supplied by John Hartley

David Kempton, the newly elected LNP Member for Cook, said he would engage with local First Nations people to better understand the impact of the decision.

“The issue has not been raised with me during the election campaign or since and whilst I am aware of the reasons for not proceeding with the Inquiry, the decision was made before I was elected to the seat of Cook,” he said.

“I will work hard over the next four-year term to ensure the views of all the electorate are listened to and taken forward. I am keen to support the entire northern population to work together toward a more tolerant, understanding and harmonious community.”

“I am interested to talk to the Indigenous people of Cook to understand what the Inquiry meant to them and how it or any other initiative might improve some of the challenges they face. I am here for all constituents and will represent them to the best of my ability.”

Chair of the Kubirriwarra Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation John Hartley, a Kubirri man from the Mossman / Port Douglas area, described the decision as heart-wrenching.

“Queensland’s new Crisafulli LNP Government has abruptly halted the Truth-telling Commission without consultation, a move that is heart-wrenching, deeply disappointing, and harmful for all First Nations and many non-Indigenous people throughout Queensland,” he said.

“Premier Crisafulli justifies this by saying it will prevent “division,” referencing the recent referendum as a basis for policy changes affecting First Nations, but truth is essential, not divisive; it is the foundation for healing and reconciliation and moving our nation forward together. When has truth-telling ever been divisive?”

“I along with many of my First Nations brothers and sisters urge the Crisafulli Government to reverse this decision and engage openly with First Nations representatives across Queensland. Healing begins with truth.”

Former ATSIC Commissioner and Kubirriwarra man Terry O’Shane expressed deep disappointment at the move.

“By taking this position, we will never get to the truth of how this country, is and was constructed – on the blood, murder and dispossession of First Nations people,” he said.

“This is a ridiculous and short-sighted decision.”

Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry Chairperson Joshua Creamer said the move would see irreplaceable evidence lost to history.

“It is a lost opportunity for the state. It'll be a lost opportunity for our generation. And I want people to know that this is the last generation of people who grew up under the protection Acts,” he said.

“That legislation facilitated the removal of people from their families, separated them out into different communities across Queensland - this is the last generation living to share that evidence and when they're gone that direct evidence will be lost.”

“These stories, that experience, that evidence isn't going to be around for much longer,” Mr Creamer said.

“People are literally dying before they have the opportunity to share their story.”

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