One Nation MP’s ‘brave’ push for gov to scrap state’s Path to Treaty

Queensland Parliament has erupted in fiery debate after One Nation MP Stephen Andrew moved a motion calling on the government to repeal the state’s Path to Treaty.

Queensland Parliament has erupted in fiery debate after One Nation MP Stephen Andrew moved a motion calling on the government to repeal the state’s Path to Treaty.

Calling on the house to recognise that “nearly 70 per cent of Queenslanders voted ‘no’ in the federal ‘Voice’ referendum”, Mr Andrew said the government had “no mandate” to push forward.

“The sheer scale of the ‘Yes’ campaign defeat should have told Labor right then and there any plans for Treaty were now at an end,” he said.

“Instead, the Miles Government is doubling-down on its plans.

“I opposed the Path to Treaty bill from the outset, mainly due to its complete lack of details contained in the bill.

One Nation MP Stephen Andrew. Picture: John Gass

“The Premier needs to take the Treaty proposal to the next election and let Queenslanders decide for themselves whether they want it or not.”

Minister Leeanne Enoch sought to strike out the wording of the motion while also taking aim at the LNP’s Treaty support backflip, saying the party “cannot be trusted”.

“It is a fact that there is an unacceptable gap in life outcomes between First Nations peoples and non-Indigenous people in this country,” she said.

“Today I turned 56 – statistically I have less than ten years left.

“We need enduring and long lasting agreements between government and First Nations peoples to tackle these challenges together, something that First Nations Queenslanders have been lobbying for over many decades, something that is at the core of Treaty.”

MP Leeanne Enoch. Photo: Megan Slade.

But the push has been supported by the Katter’s Australian Party, with Robbie Katter calling it a “brave motion”.

Mr Katter took aim at the “frustrating” actions of the government, saying it was all about words – and not about action.

“They say ‘let’s do a Treaty to help Aboriginal people’ – but how is that helping with health, with the kids … how is that helping them,” he said.

“I think a lot of people would share those sentiments in the Aboriginal communities.

“We’ve got real issues, we want them front and centre, not just talking about Treaty.

Robbie Katter has thrown support behind the One Nation MP’s push. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“Sadly I think it has become a smokescreen for politicians to not act. It looks like you’re doing something, but you’re not doing the things that are desperately needed.”

Cook MP Cynthia Lui urged Mr Andrew to “show some respect” and accused the LNP’s abandonment of Treaty as “dirty politics”.

“I think what (he) missed is this is actually a vehicle for change – it’s going to set the foundation for First Nations peoples to have a say on issues that affect them,” she said.