Minister agrees to meet with Inquiry chair who hopes to reverse the decision to axe Truth Telling

The chair of the Truth Telling and Healing Inquiry is set to meet with the new LNP government in a desperate attempt to reverse its controversial move to axe the inquiry.

Truth Telling Inquiry chair, Joshua Creamer is set to meet with the new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships minister Fiona Simpson. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

The chairman of the Truth Telling and Healing Inquiry will make a last-ditch effort to change the state LNP government’s mind after the inquiry was axed just days after coming into power.

Following weeks of silence from both Premier David Crisafulli and new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships minister Fiona Simpson, inquiry chair Joshua Creamer on Wednesday said he would be meeting with Ms Simpson to discuss the future of the inquiry.

Mr Creamer wrote several letters to both the Premier prior and after the election, as well as Ms Simpson after she was sworn into her ministerial role.

On Monday, Ms Simpson responded to Mr Creamer to advise the government’s intention to cease the inquiry and repeal the Path of Treaty Act and requested all sessions, notices, hearings and other work be placed on hold.

Inquiry chair Joshua Creamer, Brisbane Convention Centre. Picture: Liam Kidston

“Ceasing the inquiry’s work in this way continues 165 years of government failing to listen to our vision and Torres Strait Islander people,” Mr Creamer said.

“I wanted to understand how the government will support participants in those communities we’ve been working with, and I had a particular concern for our staff, given the numbers of staff who were affected by this decision.”

It comes as Indigenous Queenslanders pushed ahead with planned Truth Telling sessions to “amplify the critical importance” of the inquiry. 

“People have said to me, this is like the chief protector days – a single person deciding what’s best for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island person in the state,” Mr Creamer said.

One of five commissioners on the Yoorrook Justice Commission in Victoria – the first truth-telling body established in Australia – Sue-Anne Hunter blasted the state government’s decision to scrap the inquiry, saying she could not understand Mr Crisafulli’s view on the process being “divisive”.

“Freedom of expression is a value that all Australians we share and treasure, I suspect the Queensland Premier would say to value he holds close to his heart, and if that’s the case, I would respectfully ask he review his position, because freedom of speech must include the freedom to be honest about our history,” Ms Hunter said.

Premier David Crisafulli. Picture: Evan Morgan

“Ultimately, the truth will prevail. Governments come and go, but they can’t cancel history.”

Mr Creamer and Ms Simpson are expected to meet on Thursday afternoon where it is the chairman’s hope to convince the government to reconsider their stance.

“There is an opportunity to listen to the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people, there’s an opportunity to listen to many non Indigenous Queenslanders and many Australians who’ve come out in support of this process. There is an opportunity to actually listen to that, the support and to change the decision – it’s a simple process,” he said.

Originally published as Minister agrees to meet with Inquiry chair who hopes to reverse the decision to axe Truth Telling