‘Kick up the guts’: Indigenous Queenslanders devastated by decision to halt truth-telling inquiry

Indigenous communities across Queensland say they’re devastated that the state’s Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry will be scrapped.

The inquiry had scheduled hearings in Cherbourg in mid-November, and on North Stradbroke Island in December.

Inquiry chair Joshua Creamer announced the inquiry would pause its work after Premier David Crisafulli confirmed he would not allow the upcoming hearings to take place.

Queensland Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry board members Ivan Ingram, Vonda Malone, chairperson Joshua Creamer, Cheryl Buchanan, and Roslyn Atkinson AO.Credit: Matt Dennien

Creamer said the premier’s interference in an ongoing inquiry was unprecedented, noting Crisafulli had not had any contact with him about halting the process.

He said he was concerned about the impact it would have on communities after they had shared traumatic evidence with the inquiry.

“Given we are dealing with evidence from witnesses which is traumatic, which is hurtful, it’s painful,” he said.

“To have to stop that process midway through is going to cause significant disruption and really impact those people emotionally.”

Crisafulli said his government did not see truth-telling as something that would unite Queensland, and he did not want the decision to scrap the inquiry to be divisive.

“We put our position across. I was upfront. I’ve never sought to use inflammatory language at all,” the premier said.

“I understand that some people will be disappointed that we are stopping that process; others will find it refreshing that ... [my cabinet] will be held accountable for doing good for First Nations Australians.

“I’ve been in every one of those communities ... and I’ve seen the disadvantage, and it hurts, and I’m determined to do something about it.”

Creamer said the inquiry’s terms of reference set out to foster reconciliation.

“The premier seems to be the only person saying it’s divisive,” he said.

“I know that was a line that seemed to be successful with the Voice [referendum] last year, but it’s certainly not a line which is relevant for the purpose of truth-telling.”

The director of the North Stradbroke Island-based Minjerribah Moorgumpin Corporation, Dale Ruska, said the premier’s decision was a “kick up the guts”.

“But, realistically, how many times have our people been kicked up the guts or worse,” he said.

Cherbourg Mayor Bruce Simpson said the decision to halt the inquiry had eroded the trust of his community, which had spent months preparing for the upcoming hearings.

“For [the premier] to say something like that causes more harm to our truth, and more harm to individuals who were institutionalised, abused, put on rations, and not even considered a human being,” he said.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice commissioner Katie Kiss.

“It sends a message that the government has failed us again.”

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander social justice commissioner Katie Kiss said repealing the Path to Treaty Act would be a major step backwards for First Nations rights.

“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.”

Kiss said she had written to the premier, urging him to reconsider.

The Cherbourg, Stradbroke Island and Doomadgee communities have also called on the government to reconsider.

Ruska said a community information day planned on North Stradbroke Island on Saturday would go ahead without government or inquiry involvement.

“Nothing can stop us from talking about what the truth is and addressing our own needs for healing,” he said.

AAP