Day one of three-year landmark First Nations’ inquiry begins in Brisbane

The first day of a landmark inquiry into the effects of colonisation through the first-hand accounts of First Nations people has begun in Brisbane, amid concerns the state election could derail the investigation.

The first day of a historic First Nations inquiry has kicked off in Brisbane on Monday.

A First Nations leader fears an inquiry into the effects of colonisation on Indigenous Queenslanders may never happen again if the LNP derails the historic investigation should it be elected next month.

More than 1000 people filled the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre on Monday to mark the first day of a three-year inquiry which will air both First Nations and non-Indigenous people’s truths and investigate Queensland’s history.

Established under the Path to Treaty Act 2023, the Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry aims to create a more complete historic account of colonisation in Queensland by collating the stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, including descendants of the thousands murdered.

Joining Waanyi and Kalkadoon barrister Joshua Creamer on the inquiry is former Queensland Supreme Court judge Roslyn Atkinson AO, Guwamu woman and publisher and first Queensland Corrective Services Aboriginal Commissioner Cheryl Buchanan, Wiradjuri and Filipino man and first Federal Court Judicial Registrar Indigenous appointment Ivan Ingram and Torres Strait Islander woman and chief executive of the Torres Strait Regional Authority Vonda Malone. Picture supplied

However, the inquiry’s commencement comes amid risk of being shut down within weeks if the Opposition wins the October election, after the LNP backflipped on its support of the Path To Treaty legislation.

Waanyi and Kalkadoon barrister Joshua Creamer, who is chairing the inquiry, said it would have a significant impact on the community, and many key elders would likely not see another inquiry if the government did appeal the legislation.

“This really marks an occasion for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people that our voices are being elevated and being heard, and I think it would have a significant impact on the community to not let this process occur, “ Mr Creamer said.

Joshua Creamer was Queensland's first Indigenous barrister. Picture: Tim Marsden

“So to lose that opportunity will be hugely significant, and we don’t know if we’d ever get that opportunity again … and as I said we’re losing really significant Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the community every day.”

Among those attending the opening were parliamentary members including Stirling Hinchliffe and Amy McMahon, as well as members of Brisbane City Council and police commissioner Steve Gollschewski.

Mr Creamer said truth-telling should be used as a tool to unite and alongside the other members of the inquiry, would focus on ensuring all Queenslanders understood the shared history.

“Myself and the four members are really focused on completing our tasks over the next three years, and any government can come along and repeal the legislation, but until such time that occurs, we’ve got a job soon.”

14 government departments have been invited to take part in the inquiry, which will have three phases and sift through hundreds of thousands of records and artefacts, as well as conducting hearings.

The inquiry will sit for three days in Brisbane, with public truth-telling hearings to begin on Wednesday.