LNP downplays Indigenous treaty backing after grassroot revolt

The deputy leader of Queensland’s LNP is forced to write to grassroots members clarifying the party will not pay reparations to First Nations groups if it wins office.

The deputy leader of Queensland’s Liberal National Party has been forced to write to grassroots members to clarify that the party will not pay reparations to First Nations groups if it wins government at next year’s state election.

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli and his team are under internal pressure over their decision to unanimously support historic Indigenous treaty legislation.

The Palaszczuk government has confirmed treaty deals could cost hundreds of millions of dollars apiece and factor in the number of Indigenous people killed in historic local massacres.

Senior LNP figures, federal politicians and grassroots members were outraged after all 34 LNP MPs voted to pass the legislation earlier this month.

Mr Crisafulli has since said the party would not “advocate” for compensation to be paid as part of treaty deals.

Branches across the state have been passing motions calling on Mr Crisafulli to rescind support for treaty laws and repeal them if the LNP wins the October 2024 state election.

Earlier this week, Mr Crisafulli said he would “absolutely not” reverse laws if he becomes premier and insisted treaties were “an ­opportunity to outline a better way forward for Indigenous ­communities”.

His deputy Jarrod Bleijie, meanwhile, has moved to downplay the significance of the LNP’s support of treaty laws amid growing grassroots anger.

In a letter to the Caloundra state electorate council this week, obtained by The Australian, Mr Bleijie insists “the legislation does not constitute a treaty itself”.

“As its name indicates, it simply sets out a process to be followed without prescribing a fixed outcome,” he wrote. “No one is bound to agree to any terms which might be subject to negotiation.

“The opposition rules out using this process for repatriations or an opportunity to veto economic development opportunities, such as mining and agricultural projects, or promotion of any notion of separate sovereignty.”

The letter came as the Caloundra SEC prepared to vote on a ­motion calling on the LNP to “rescind their support for Path to Treaty legislation and close the Interim Truth and Treaty Body, First Nations Treaty Institute and Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry if elected”.

Despite Mr Bleijie’s attempts to assuage concerns, the motion passed on Wednesday night, with a similar resolution also passed unanimously by the South West Women’s branch.

The Australian understands motions are being put up at least half a dozen other branches across the state and others are being drafted to take to the party’s state convention in July.

When treaty legislation was passed, Labor Minister Craig Crawford said “everything” would be on the table during government negotiations with First Nations groups.

Asked what the LNP would be willing to negotiate on, Mr Crisafulli’s office said: “The LNP believes this process should be about telling the truth, about improving living conditions and holding the government of the day accountable”.

“We will use the Path to Treaty discussion to promote defined milestones for issues concerning Indigenous communities,” his office said in a statement.

“We will not allow any such discussions to divide Queenslanders or prosecute old culture wars.”