Indigenous barrister Joshua Creamer charged with collecting stories before they’re ‘lost to the sands of time’

The chair of Queensland’s historic Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry says now is the time to collect stories of lived-experience from generations of Indigenous peoples before they are ‘lost to the sands of time’.

Joshua Creamer is Queensland's first Indigenous barrister. Picture: Tim Marsden.

The Indigenous barrister chairing Queensland’s Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry says now is the time to collect stories of lived experience from generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait peoples before they are “lost to the sands of time” to make sure the history of all Australians is represented.

Joshua Creamer – a Waanyi and Kalkadoon man and Queensland’s first Indigenous barrister – told more than 1000 people gathered in the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Monday for the ceremonial launch of the independent inquiry that the “marathon” three-year probe will be historic.

“Every day, we lose significant elders in the community,” Mr Creamer said. “I know from being a lawyer that it’s critical we get direct evidence … from people who smelt it, seen it, heard it, and over time that diminishes.”

“It might be the only occasion we get to bring that history to the surface so that everyone can learn, explore and celebrate. Importantly, it demonstrates how all Queenslanders can now go forward and take steps to … foster a greater sense of reconciliation.

“It’s really momentous in that occasion, but in terms of rewriting the record, we’ve got a big job to do to ensure everybody’s perspectives are included in our history.”

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander elders will be first to give evidence when the first hearings take place this week in Brisbane. The independent inquiry was launched in July following the passing of Queensland’s Path to Treaty legislation in 2023.

It will carry the same powers as a royal commission and focus on exploring how the impacts of past laws, policies and practices can influence and provide better outcomes in the future.

Liberal National Party leader David Crisafulli has said he would axe the treaty institute and truth-telling inquiry if his party wins next month’s state election, which would require landmark laws to be repealed. Asked on Monday when an LNP government would roll back the laws, Mr Crisafulli did not answer. “I have been upfront about that and I want Queenslanders to know we are serious about giving Indigenous communities the opportunity to have a job, go to school and own their own home,” he said.

Despite previous assurances that he would “absolutely not” renege on treaty and truth telling if he became premier, Mr Crisafulli immediately withdrew his support for the process when Queensland delivered the strongest rejection of the voice to parliament of any state at last year’s referendum.

The findings are expected to inform and develop Queensland’s school curriculums and learning materials on history and colonisation, promote healing and reconciliation within the community and work with “memory institutions”, including the State Library of Queensland, Queensland Museum Network and Queensland State Archives.

Counsel assisting the inquiry, Melia Benn, one of only two Aboriginal women practising at the private bar, said Indigenous people are “dying for their story to be heard … This is a time for you to give your story your way, a way that recognises you as whole and celebrates the loving, spiritual beings that we are.”