Signs of a ‘game-changing’ path to Indigenous treaty

School curriculums could be changed, repatriations made and reforms introduced in health, criminal justice and child protection as part of ‘a game-changing’ path to treaty in Queensland.

Robert (Uncle Bob) Anderson, the original native title claimant to Moreton Island, at the commitment signing on Monday. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

School curriculums could be changed, repatriations made and reforms introduced in health, criminal justice and child protection as part of “a game-changing” path to treaty in Queensland with First Nations peoples.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Tuesday released the report setting out a path to treaty or treaties that will include a truth-telling inquiry and commitment to Indigenous participation in decision-making.

At an emotional ceremony at Parliament House, which brought Indigenous Labor MPs Leeanne Enoch and Cynthia Lui to tears, Ms Palaszczuk said the move to towards treaty was an “incredible moment” for the state.

“Treaty is about finding a place where we can face up to our shared history and be truthful about all of it – good and bad – and build a ­future together where we value, trust and respect each other.”

A final report of the Treaty Advancement Committee, co-chaired by Indigenous academic Jackie Huggins and former human rights commissioner Mick Gooda, recommended creation of a First Nations treaty institute to work on the agreement, and a three-year “truth-telling and healing inquiry” to publicly air past injustices.

Dr Huggins said she expected the process to look at treaties around the world, including in Canada while Mr Gooda said the panel had rejected following Victoria’s path to a royal commission-style “truth-telling” inquiry for something more imaginative, possibly involve festivals in some communities where people could tell their stories.

Indigenous Affairs Minister Craig Crawford said the process would not be a “Native Title 2.0”.

“Different groups will come forward with different things they want to negotiate … We are not coming for your back gate or farm, this is about true reconciliation.”