Qld Path to Treaty: Laws introduced to Parliament next week

Laws will be introduced to Queensland Parliament next week cementing the state’s path to a treaty with First Nations people.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk (left) with Governor Dr Jeannette Young and Dr Aunty McRose Elu at Wednesday’s Path to Treaty event. Picture: Dan Peled/NCA NewsWire

Laws cementing Queensland’s path to a treaty with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are set to be introduced to State Parliament next week, with advocates saying the process of coming to terms with the state’s “uncomfortable” colonial past won’t be easy.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, in a speech on Wednesday, confirmed proposed laws will be put forward next week to establish a First Nations Treaty Institute — outlining its powers, functions and composition.

The legislation will also put in place a structure to set up a five-member truth-telling and healing inquiry, which will hold hearings and compel government to front up and provide evidence similar to a normal inquiry but customised to have a “culturally appropriate” approach.

Queensland’s path to treaty began in 2019, and includes a $300m fund with at least $10m a year going to the First Nations Treaty Institute.

There is no deadline on when the treaties between First Nations communities and the government must be in place.

The state government accepted all 22 recommendations of the Treaty Advancement Committee in August 2022 and at the time anticipated laws to put the infrastructure in place would be introduced by the end of that year.

Ms Palaszczuk said the government was serious and determined.

“The Path to Treaty signals to the rest of Australia and to other nations that Queensland is ready and willing to confront that past and to listen to the painful stories that need to be told,” she said.

“But we cannot right the wrongs, without recognising those wrongs.

“We must look deep within our hearts, and acknowledge the discrimination and the prejudice that our First Nations people were subjected to.”

Interim Truth and Treaty Body co-chair Cheryl Buchanan said securing treaties and truth-telling was akin to being on an expedition to climb Mt Everest.

“That’s the magnitude of what we’re attempting to do,” she said.

Fellow co-chair Sallyanne Atkinson, former Brisbane lord mayor, said the process was “not going to be pretty, it’s going to be difficult”.

“Some people don’t want to hear the truth. But unless we accept that truth, unless we accept our history, and learn, it will be impossible to move forward,” she said.

“So what we’re about with this treaty process is moving forward for a great shared future.”

Ms Palaszczuk said the treaty process would be an opportunity to change the state’s story and walk together into a much brighter tomorrow.

The process comes as the federal government prepares to hold a referendum by the end of the year asking Australians if they agree an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voice should be enshrined in the Constitution.