‘Might be the only occasion’: Historic inquiry’s head cautions early end

The news

Any move by a future government to end Queensland’s in-process First Nations truth-telling inquiry and treaty groundwork would have a significant impact on the community, the inquiry’s head says.

“We don’t know if we’d ever get that opportunity again,” Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry chair Joshua Creamer told journalists after the independent inquiry’s ceremonial opening in Brisbane.

Joshua Creamer speaks to journalists on Monday, almost exactly 200 years since the start of the first European settlement in today’s Queensland.Credit: Matt Dennien

“It might be the only occasion we get to bring that history to the surface so that everyone can learn, explore and celebrate.”

Why it matters

What is set to be a three-year, First Nations-led inquiry to create “the authoritative record” of European colonisation and its impact in the past and present has been itself decades in the making.

But the work has started under a cloud, after the LNP opposition withdrew support despite MPs voting for laws to establish path to treaty last May, and vocal backing from leader David Crisafulli.

Following the failed federal Voice referendum in October, Crisafulli cited the “divisive debate” as the reason his party could “no longer support a Path to Treaty and will not pursue one if elected”.

Pressed on what this would look like in practice for the inquiry and treaty institute, Crisafulli’s office declined to give more detail.

What they said

“Any government can come along and repeal the legislation, but until such time that occurs, we’ve got a job to do,” Creamer, an accomplished Waanyi and Kalkadoon barrister, told journalists.

“I think it would have a significant impact on the community to not let this process occur.”

He said any such outcome could mean losing the opportunity to gather first-hand evidence of dispossession, discrimination, resistance and resilience being lost each year as elders passed away.

“It’s critical that we get direct evidence – so evidence from people who smelled, saw, seen it, heard it – and over time that diminishes.”

Truth-telling is not about dividing people and, in fact, it should be used as a tool to unite.

Inquiry chair Joshua Creamer in his address to Monday’s hearing

Perspectives

Melia Benn, one of two counsels assisting the inquiry, told the room of up to 2000 people studies of First Nations people had occurred for almost 250 years “through one-way glass with no sound”.

“I know you are tired, but now is not the time to rest. It is time to change the narrative so we can tell all Queensland children about the time we came together, listened, acknowledged the truth, and started to heal,” she said.

Crisafulli has refused to detail how and when an LNP government would unwind the laws underpinning the inquiry, saying on Monday he had been upfront about his focus on “real outcomes” for First Nations people.

Premier Steven Miles said the years-long process ahead “would require bipartisan support”.

What you need to know

The inquiry began behind-the-scenes efforts from July 1 consulting communities and government departments, and will hold its first three days of formal “truth-telling hearings” from Wednesday.

Focus will span the role of government, faith-based and non-government groups, through hearings and hundreds of thousands of archived documents. Public submissions will open in coming months.

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