Truth-telling inquiry in limbo after minister cancels meeting

The future of a truth-telling inquiry is in limbo after the Queensland government postponed plans to discuss the Path to Treaty process.

Chair Joshua Creamer was set to state a case for Queensland’s Truth Telling and Healing Inquiry to continue after organising a meeting with the state government on Thursday.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Fiona Simpson was set to speak with Mr Creamer after a backlash over Premier David Crisafulli’s decision to axe the inquiry days after being sworn in.

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

Simpson pulled out of the meeting on Thursday, seeking further advice.

The inquiry chair has not been provided an alternate date for a meeting.

“In your correspondence you raised a number of matters requiring further advice,” Simpson said in a letter to Creamer.

“In order to best inform our discussions, I unfortunately need to postpone.”

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Fiona Simpson.Credit: Matt Dennien

The state government is now under pressure to reopen talks, with the federal government and advocate groups calling for the inquiry to continue.

The postponed meeting is another frustrating blow for Creamer who is still reeling from Crisafulli’s decision to ditch the inquiry.

Crisafulli’s Liberal National Party supported a path to treaty and a truth-telling inquiry when legislation was passed in 2023.

However, the party backflipped while still in opposition after the Indigenous voice referendum was voted down, saying it did not want the matter to be a divisive issue.

Crisafulli confirmed the inquiry would be dumped after taking over as premier on October 28, insisting the LNP government would be held accountable for “doing good” for First Nations Australians.

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

After seeking legal advice, Creamer said the inquiry’s work would be paused.

“As far as I’m aware, a government ending an inquiry purely for political reasons in this way is unprecedented in this state,” Creamer said on Wednesday.

“Ceasing the inquiry’s work in this way continues 165 years of government failing to listen to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

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

Federal Minister for Indigenous Australians Malarndirri McCarthy urged the state government to “hold your horses” and not scrap the inquiry.

“Don’t be hasty ... let this process roll through. It is the decent and fair thing to do,” she told ABC.

Allies for Uluru, a coalition of more than 300 member organisations, said the state government should “not be afraid to let the truth be told”.

“Stopping now would shatter dreams of reconciliation and deny generations the chance for truth, justice, and healing,” spokesman and Oxfam Australia chief executive Lyn Morgain said.

A first report from the inquiry showed more than 400 community organisations had been invited to provide submissions in the coming months.

The inquiry’s final report was set to be delivered by June 2027.

AAP