Premier David Crisafulli ends truth telling across Queensland immediately

One state’s decision to end an ongoing truth telling inquiry has left some concerned the decision will cause further trauma for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Queensland’s new premier has ordered the Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry to cease immediately as one of his first acts, but the decision has raised concern among Indigenous communities.

The inquiry was launched in early 2024 to examine the impacts of colonisation on First Nations people.

But newly-elected Premier David Crisafulli has confirmed the new government will be ceasing all future Truth Telling across the state immediately.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has confirmed truth telling will cease across the state. Picture: NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

“We won’t be allowing the truth-telling proceedings to go ahead but it will be done with respect and decency and there will be a relentless focus by the departments to do good by the Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander people,” Mr Crisafulli told reporters on Thursday.

“There will be reference in the charter letters (published next week).”

Chairman of the inquiry Joshua Creamer said he was not aware the government had halted the inquiry until he heard about it in the media on Thursday.

Mr Creamer said he would cease all inquiry proceedings immediately after seeking legal advice following Mr Crisafulli’s announcement.

“I sought legal advice and I was advised that I need to immediately cease all works that were undertaken,” Mr Creamer told ABC.

Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry chairman Joshua Creamer says the decision is unprecedented. Picture: Liam Kidston

“Mr Crisafulli was very explicit in his comments.

“He obviously has a different view. He doesn’t seem to think that you can have truth-telling (and) other initiatives at the same time.

“For that reason, we have been asked to stop our work and there will be a formal process of having to wrap up the inquiry because we have our legislation.

“Truth-telling is actually embedded in the public sector … so there is a lot of work in unwinding the inquiry over the next couple of days by the new government.”

The decision comes days before the inquiry was scheduled to travel to North Stradbroke Island this weekend, ahead of its December public meetings.

Mr Creamer said he was yet to speak to the Premier about the decision, which he believes is “unprecedented”.

“In fact I wrote to all members of parliament prior to the election, inviting them to actually meet with me and speak about the inquiry,” he said.

“I certainly have not heard anything from Mr Crisafulli and his team.

“I will say this is really unprecedented.

“Australia has had provisions of the … commissions of inquiry for well over 100 years and it is well known and respected that these institutions are important … and so to be cut midstream like this in Queensland is completely unprecedented in our 100 years.”

Premier David Crisafulli says the inquiry will end immediately. Picture: NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss also slammed the government’s decision, stating it was a backwards step for Queensland.

“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,” Commissioner Kiss said.

“It is disrespectful to communities, but also to the many people who put in years of work to make this Inquiry happen.

“This includes the contributions of everyday Queenslanders – Indigenous and non-Indigenous – who provided invaluable input to support truth, justice and healing.

“The inaugural truth-telling hearings of the Commission that occurred in September showed the enormous contribution that this process can make to public understanding of the treatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Queensland, building a basis for dialogue, understanding and compassion.

“These hearings showed the immense benefits truth-telling has for everyone.

“The Path to Treaty was something our People have long called for.

“They believe this is what is needed to bring Queenslanders together in a way that fosters unity, understanding, respect, dignity and wellbeing for all.

“In particular, those Elders who have lived experience of the impacts of colonial policies and practices of the past, and our families and communities who experience the ongoing trauma and effects.

“Now more than ever, we need policies that promote reconciliation and unity – not division and discord.

“First Nations Queenslanders deserve and need to have their rights upheld and their stories heard.”

Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss say the decision to scrap the inquiry was a ‘backward’ step for Queensland. Picture: Supplied

Mr Creamer said the scrapping of the inquiry could also severely impact the processes underway to heal the trauma felt in Indigenous communities across the state.

“Having to stop the work midstream, given the traumatic type of evidence witnesses have been encountering, I think is a really significant step back and in contrast with our terms of healing,” he said.

“This was a process of consultation statewide with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community but members of all communities over the last six years to develop this model.

“I have taken on the responsibility to deliver the inquiry and now, in conflict with the community’s expectations and desires for a process of truth-telling and healing, it has been stopped.”

However, Mr Crisafulli said he stood by his decision to end the inquiry.

“I don’t want this to be some sort of divisive issue where I seek to amplify my decision,” he said.

“We made a decision, it’s the right decision and I stand by it.

“I don’t want to cause angst for people.

“I want people to know we’re going to do good things for Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander people and that includes home ownership.”

Commissioner Kiss, who was the inquiry’s former Executive Director, has written to Mr Crisafulli urging him to reconsider his decision and offering to work collaboratively with his government.

“I am very keen to establish a positive working relationship with the new Queensland Government – supporting it to advance the human rights of First Nations people,” Commissioner Kiss said.

“Truth-telling about past and ongoing injustice is critical to advancing human rights and building a better future for First Nations people and all Queenslanders. I urge the Premier to reconsider his decision.

“With the absence now of a First Nations member in the new Queensland Government, it is of great importance to include First Nations People in decisions that affect them.

“That means meeting with us, talking with us and hearing and incorporating our views into decisions that will impact us all.”