Survey reveals strong support for treaty in Queensland

Queenslanders have displayed strong support for a treaty as the state moves closer to a formal agreement with indigenous people. TAKE OUR POLL

Queenslanders have displayed strong support for a treaty as the state moves closer to a formal agreement with indigenous people.

In a survey involving 2320 Queenslanders, most participants saw the benefits of a treaty and supported its pursuit.

The key results include that more than half of non-indigenous people surveyed wanted to learn more about a treaty and that three out of four people believe a treaty will benefit all Queenslanders to some extent.

Almost two-thirds agree that we need to acknowledge First Nations peoples as the original custodians of Queensland, while around 66 per cent agree that all Queenslanders should know the truth of First Nations culture and history.

Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Craig Crawford. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

The survey, paid for by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships and conducted by IPS Management Consultants throughout this month, also found strongest support in the north and north west for a treaty while support was weaker in the south west.

Treaty proposals are being pursued by several states and territories across Australia.

While the work on treaties coincides with the lead up to the end-of-year-referendum on the Voice to federal parliament, the two issues are not formally connected.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Craig Crawford said he was heartened by the response to the treaty proposal which he describes as “a formal seal of goodwill, a peace pact, a negotiated agreement for a reconciled future.’’

“It is extremely heartening to see the statewide survey that found most Queenslanders see the benefit to treaty in Queensland,’’ Mr Crawford said.

“It shows Queenslanders have got open hearts and open minds to the treaty process and most agree we acknowledge First Nations people are the original custodians of Queensland.

“Most of us want to know the truth about First Nations culture, heritage and traditions, and we want to learn more.

“But the study also shows we’ve also got work to do to promote the treaty.

“It tells us we need to explain Treaty and Truth in bite-sized, digestible chunks of information.’’

The survey, commissioned by the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, will provide the Government with a statistical baseline to inform future engagement throughout Queensland on the Path to Treaty.

While the treaty proposal is singular at the moment, the fact that there are more than 120 different traditional owner groups identified in Queensland means that if the treaty proposal is accepted, there will be a series of them rather than one.