Far North residents to discuss Path to Treaty at Community Yarning session

Residents from Cairns, Weipa and Thursday Island have been invited to have their say on the Path to Treaty Bill in public hearings next week.

The next step in the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to a Path to Treaty has begun with people from Cairns, Weipa and Thursday Island to have their say on the Path to Treaty Bill at conferences in Cairns, Weipa and Thursday Island this week.

The Community Support and Services Committee will hold Community Yarning sessions in Cairns and Weipa from Monday, March 20 and a third session at Thursday Island on Tuesday March 21.

“It’s important to have committee hearings coming to places like Cairns and other regional communities so people can speak and hear directly about the importance of Path to Treaty,” Cairns MP Michael Healy said.

The Path to Treaty Bill will aim to establish a First Nations Treaty Institute and a formal Truth Telling and Healing Inquiry, and amend existing legislation that reflects discriminatory policies of the past.

Thursday Island in the Torres Strait, Far North Queensland. Picture: Brendan Radke

Barron River MP Craig Crawford said Path to Treaty was the most significant step towards reconciliation in the state’s history.

“This is our moment in time to right the wrongs, to finish unfinished business, and to bequeath our future generations a path forward,” Mr Crawford said.

The public hearings are a negotiation between the Queensland Government, Queensland’s First Nations Peoples and Non-Indigenous Queenslanders, towards a treaty or treaties to strengthen the relationship between Queensland’s First Nations and the wider community.

Community Support and Services Committee chair Corrine McMillan said it was a historic moment.

“The Path to Treaty is an opportunity to reflect on our past and to build a better future for all Queenslanders,” Ms McMillan said.

“We want to hear from First Nations Peoples and non-Indigenous Queenslanders with their views and suggestions for these next steps on the Path to Treaty.”

Originally published as Far North residents to discuss Path to Treaty at Community Yarning session