First Nations leader urges likely premier, David Crisafulli, not to cut Queensland’s truth-telling inquiry

A Far North indigenous leader has called on the LNP to reconsider plans to scrap a truth-telling and healing inquiry in Queensland after the process was initially backed by both major parties.

Uncle Terry O'Shane shares a laugh during the annual Labour Day march along the Cairns Esplanade and through the Cairns CBD, earlier this year. Picture: Brendan Radke

A Far North indigenous leader has called on the LNP to reconsider plans to scrap a truth-telling and healing inquiry in Queensland after the process was initially backed by both major parties.

Following the defeat of the voice to parliament referendum last year, Opposition Leader David Crisafulli withdrew support for the inquiry but has pledged to improve education and housing outcomes for First Nations peoples, if elected, on Saturday.

With hearings already underway, Kuku Yalanji elder Terry O’Shane said the backflip was a major step backward for reconciliation across the state.

“It’s a discussion that needs to take place,” the indigenous coordinator for the Maritime Union of Australia said.

“This disallows Australians the chance to have a meaningful discussion around the dispossession and the alienation of First Nation peoples during the process of colonisation.

“There is an absolute need for political leadership where Australia goes through the discussion around treaty and truth telling.”

Queenslanders deserved to know their history when it came to violent conflicts between First Nations peoples and settlers, the establishment of missions and the Stolen Generation, the former ATSIC commissioner said.

“If the curriculum doesn’t get corrected then we continue to create division because there’s no recognition of what happened,” Mr O’Shane said.

“It creates a lot of problems. Just in our mob alone, Kuku Yalanji … if you look at the apicals, there are only about 23 families left.”

Far North MP Craig Crawford says scrapping the inquiry could set reconciliation in Queensland “back decades”. Picture: Adam Head

The former minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Craig Crawford said the decision was a mistake.

“I think it’s disgraceful,” the current Member for Barron River said.

“They’ve made it very clear. This is from the same party that gave bipartisan support to this inquiry at that special sitting in parliament in Cairns.

“David Crisafulli and others stood up and said, ‘This is the right thing to do. That’s how we move forward’, then rolled back on it.

“The history of the state isn’t correctly written. It’s not about laying blame, it’s about making sure that the kids going through schools can read the true history of this state.”

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has copped criticism from across the state for flagging that he’ll cut the truth-telling and healing inquiry, if elected. Picture Liam Kidston

Mr Crisafulli said recently that he didn’t want to create “division” through the inquiry.

“I understand not everybody agrees with that decision, but I bet you everyone agrees with this statement; we need to do more for indigenous communities,” he said earlier this week.

An LNP spokeswoman said the party aimed to deliver practical solutions with measurable outcomes, including lifting healthcare and education standards while also “unlocking the door” to home ownership.

Originally published as First Nations leader urges likely premier, David Crisafulli, not to cut Queensland’s truth-telling inquiry