Analysis: Treaty walkback makes a mockery of caucus

The ease with which Ms Palaszczuk appeared to distance herself from Indigenous recognition is in stark contrast to her previous championing of the issue, writes Hayden Johnson.

What is the point of having a Labor caucus dominated by the Left when the Right-aligned Premier can issue major policy changes on a whim.

After leading on Path to Treaty for a long time, Annastacia Palaszczuk shocked colleagues on Thursday by announcing, on the run, that it was unlikely to progress without the support of the LNP.

It caught ministers and MPs from all Labor factions off guard, and sent the state government into damage control, with an extraordinary phone hook-up on Thursday afternoon to appease her confused and devastated colleagues.

This extraordinary blow to the progressive Left faction, led by Deputy Premier Steven Miles, comes just eight weeks after the state government rushed through laws to keep kids in police watch houses.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Thursday. Picture: Dan Peled/NCA NewsWire

That forced Mr Miles – and Ms Palaszczuk when she returned from holidays – to meet with and ease concerns of angry Left MPs.

Leadership rumblings began then, and this captain’s call to walk back Path to Treaty threatens to transform them into a roar.

Labor knows its brand in regional Queensland is damaged – perhaps toxic – so why also throw away the inner-city progressive vote?

The ease with which Ms Palaszczuk appeared to distance herself from Indigenous recognition is in stark contrast to her previous championing of the issue.

Just five months ago she named Leeanne Enoch as the Minister for Treaty. This proud Quandamooka woman is now left in the cold, collateral damage in a bitter political battle in the lead-up to next year’s poll.

In the referendum campaign Indigenous leader Noel Pearson called for intelligent discourse to make positive change.

In Queensland, it appears we’ve failed.

Originally published as Analysis: Treaty walkback makes a mockery of caucus