Support for treaty with Indigenous Queenslanders ‘is growing’

The push for a state level treaty with Indigenous Queenslanders is gaining momentum as government representatives meet stakeholders to discuss the matter in community forums.

A groundswell of support is building across the state for a treaty with Indigenous Queenslanders, according to Queensland’s Indigenous Affairs Minister Craig Crawford.

The push for a treaty at a state level, taking a far lower profile than the Commonwealth’s looming “Voice’’ referendum, is gaining momentum as government representatives meet Queenslanders to discuss the matter in community forums.

The forums follow on from Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s introduction to state parliament last month of the historic Path to Treaty Bill 2023.

Mr Crawford said he was witnessing strong support for a proposal which he believes is coming to represent one of the nation’s most significant paths towards reconciliation.

“There is a huge groundswell of support for the Treaty and these public hearings are a chance for all Queenslanders, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to have input on our shared future,” Mr Crawford said.

Minister Craig Crawford.

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

Public forums are scheduled to continue this week in places ranging from Palm Island off Townsville to Woorabinda and Rockhampton in Central Queensland before a State Government committee updates progress in a report to be tabled in state parliament in April.

Another milestone in the state’s reconciliation journey was also reached yesterday (Saturday) when a sacred rock formation in Boonah’s southwest was placed back in the hands of Traditional Owners.

The Dhagun Yumba Aboriginal Corporation took the freehold title of 26 hectares of land at Whinpullin _ also known as Minto Crag_ for the benefit of the Aboriginal people connected to the land.

Whinpullin is an ancient rock formation which, according to one story in Indigenous lore, is known as a giant ancestral eel.

Resources Minister Scott Stewart said the transfer highlighted the Palaszczuk Government’s genuine commitment to protecting and preserving Indigenous culture, values and traditions.

“We are blessed in this country to be home to the longest, continuing cultures in history,’’ he said.

“The cultures and histories of our First Nations Peoples are unique.’’