Truth Telling and Hearing Inquiry chair Joshua Creamer’s blistering attack on LNP

The new LNP government has come under fire after its unprecedented move to dismantle major First Nations reforms that had been championed by Labor.

Truth Telling and Hearing Inquiry chair Joshua Creamer has launched a blistering attack on the LNP government. Picture: Liam Kidston

Truth Telling and Hearing Inquiry chair Joshua Creamer has skewered the LNP government’s unprecedented move to axe the process, saying Premier David Crisafulli did not have the “decency to front up’’ and call him.

Mr Creamer said that, to his knowledge, not one LNP MP had bothered to respond to an update on the inquiry’s work which his office sent them, including new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Fiona Simpson.

He also noted that ending the inquiry was the sole election promise the LNP made during the election campaign.

Just days after taking power, Queensland’s LNP government dismantled the First Nations reforms championed by the former Labor regime.

“The attack on an independent Inquiry by a Premier is unprecedented in the history of our state,” he said.

“No independent Inquiry has ever been shut down solely for political reasons.”

Mr Creamer said he became aware of the decision through the media.

Queenslands new Premier David Crisafulli said the government had been clear that it wouldn’t progress with the inquiry. Picture: Lachie Millard

“My team were taken by surprise because the closure of the Inquiry was not included in the new government’s 100-day plan,” he said.

“The protests of division are inaccurate and are inconsistent with the terms of reference of Inquiry which calls for reconciliation.

“It became evident in the government truth telling session in September that Government has failed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for 165 years.”

He said the inquiry was supposed to provide a road map for government and the community on improving the lives of Indigenous people.

“However, we are now left with a decision that continues the legacy of failure,” he said.

“With this decision we have let down many people across the state.

“Most of all we have let down those people whose evidence will now be lost to the passing of time.

“I want to acknowledge the hurt that I know many are feeling as a result of this unprecedented attack.”

Premier David Crisafulli argued the LNP had been clear that it wouldn’t be progressing with the inquiry.

“We put our position across. I was upfront. I came and spoke to you all, and I’ve never sought to use inflammatory language at all,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“I understand that some people will be disappointed that we are stopping that process. Others will find it refreshing that (Ministers) will be held accountable for doing good for First Nations Australians.”

The Australian Human Rights Commission and the Queensland equivalent have slammed the new government’s decision to abolish the inquiry.

The AHRC’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss, a Kaanju and Biri/Widi woman from Rockhampton, said the decision was disrespectful.

“The decision to scrap the Inquiry, denying our First Nations People a chance to share their stories to help accurately convey our state’s history, is extremely disrespectful and harmful,” she said.

Queensland Human Rights Commissioner Scott McDougall is urging the state government to pause the decision to abolish the inquiry until Mr Crisafulli can sit down with Mr Creamer and First Nations leaders.

“This should be a considered decision, made in consultation with First Nations communities in Queensland,” he said.

Mr Creamer said he was concerned about the trauma that might be visited on witnesses, many of whom had needed weeks or months of support before being able to tell their stories.

He said the decision to immediately scrap the inquiry came so suddenly three of his staff became aware of it only as they were driving back to Brisbane from Cherbourg, where they had been working with 40 potential witnesses for the next round of hearings in November.

Mr Creamer and seven of his staff were also due to have headed to Stradbroke Island on Saturday, November 2, for a community meeting ahead of a hearing that had been scheduled for later this year.

“The premier seems to be the only voice saying this (inquiry process) will be divisive,’’ he said.

“He says he is open to listening to indigenous people on their views for what they want (going forward) but we spent six years consulting our people and this (inquiry) is what they told us they want.’’