Premier backs away from Treaty after LNP backflip

Annastacia Palaszczuk says the state’s Path to Treaty would only go ahead with bipartisan support, putting the major move at risk following David Crisafulli’s backflip on the issue. VOTE IN POLL

• Editor’s view: Premier had no other option
• Crisafulli: No more division

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has said the state’s Path to Treaty would only go ahead with bipartisan support, putting the major move at risk following David Crisafulli’s backflip on the issue.

Ms Palaszczuk said on Thursday treaties being negotiated with First Nations people was “a long way off, and that would require bipartisan support”.

Asked whether she would guarantee Treaty would happen, she said again it would “need bipartisan support”.

“The next stage is truth-telling, that’s a three to four year process,” she said.

On whether she would be open to tinkering with the legislation to achieve such bipartisan support, she said “you need to go and ask the Leader of the Opposition”.

“It’s obvious these laws were put in place with bipartisan support, and they are now walking away from that bipartisan support,’ she said.

“I didn’t make the announcement overnight.

“For effective reconciliation, and Path To Treaty – that would require bipartisan support.”

Mr Crisafulli has withdrawn his support for Treaty following the overwhelming “No” vote on The Voice referendum.

Asked several times whether she thought Queenslanders supported Treaty or not, Ms Palaszczuk said she believed Australians do want reconciliation.

“We heard very loud and clear on the about the referendum,” she said.

“No ifs and buts. We accept that.”

Pressed further on Treaty and its importance, Ms Palaszczuk said “we need unity in this state and we need to be talking about the issues that really matter out there amongst Queenslanders – and it is cost of living”.

WHAT THE LNP SAID: REASONS WHY TREATY PLAN REJECTED

The LNP has axed its support for a Path to Treaty in a major policy reversal driven by Queensland’s overwhelming rejection of the Voice referendum.

Queensland’s landmark Path to Treaty legislation passed with bipartisan support in May, but Opposition Leader David Crisafulli on Thursday revealed the LNP would no longer support the “divisive” plan and abandon it if it wins government in October.

It is among the most significant policy reversals since Australia – led by Queensland – decisively rejected Saturday’s referendum to enshrine an Indigenous Voice in the Constitution.

State Opposition Leader David Crisafulli at a press conference on Sunday. Picture: Lachie Millard

Mr Crisafulli, who on Sunday morning reiterated his support for treaty and truth telling, said he would not “make the same mistake” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese did by pushing ahead with “divisive” debate.

“Instead of listening to the people, Labor stubbornly blundered on … arrogantly telling people where to go, instead of bringing people with you, is never the right way forward,” he said.

“When Queenslanders speak it is the duty of leaders to listen.

“In the days since the referendum as I have travelled throughout the state it has become clear to me the Path to Treaty will only create further division.”

The state government’s Path to Treaty includes a major truth-telling inquiry that will investigate the massacre of indigenous people, the ­effect of the Stolen Generation and the impacts of colonisation on First Nations and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Queensland.

Mr Crisafulli said the LNP’s previous support of the Path to Treaty legislation was done so in “good faith” to promote improved outcomes for indigenous Queenslanders.

He did not detail whether he still believed a treaty would improve living standards for indigenous people.

“Pursuing a Path to Treaty will lead to greater division, not reconciliation, and I cannot support that,” he said.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk hugs Leeanne Enoch after signing the Statement of Commitment to the Path to Treaty. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Queensland’s 69 per cent No vote in Saturday’s referendum was the highest of any state or territory, with only the Greens-held three inner-city electorates voting Yes.

The state LNP’s support for a Path to Treaty also put it at odds with the party’s federal branch, leading to mounting internal tension.

While Mr Crisafulli considered the referendum and voting intentions separate issues, his backing of a Path to Treaty threatened to erode conservative support in regional Queensland.

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson used Queensland’s referendum result this week to demand Mr Crisafulli end the LNP’s support for the “divisive” treaty.

“Conservative Queenslanders in particular will be furious with David Crisafulli’s failure to represent their views about the path to treaty law,” she said.

Originally published as Premier backs away from Treaty after LNP backflip