Queensland government issues cease notice to Truth-Telling Inquiry

The Queensland government has ordered an immediate end to hearings.

The committee includes Wiradjuri and Filipino man and first Federal Court Judicial Registrar Indigenous appointment Ivan Ingram (L), Torres Strait Islander woman and chief executive of the Torres Strait Regional Authority Vonda Malone, Joshua Creamer, Guwamu woman and publisher and first Queensland Corrective Services Aboriginal Commissioner Cheryl Buchanan, and Queensland Supreme Court judge Roslyn Atkinson AO. Picture: Mikaela Mulveney

The Queensland government has formally issued a cease notice to the state’s Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry, ordering an immediate end to hearings.

Chairman of the Inquiry, Joshua Creamer, was given the advice on Monday evening by the Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Fiona Simpson, on her first full day in the position.

“Mr Creamer has been formally advised of the Government’s intention to repeal the Path to Treaty Act and cease the Truth-telling Inquiry,” said a spokeswoman for Ms Simpson.

“The Government signalled its intentions to discontinue the Inquiry prior to the election, indicating it would instead focus on home ownership, improving health services and boosting education to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders.”

Fiona Simpson MP, Estimate hearings at Parliament House, Brisbane. Picture: Liam Kidston

The three year Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry was written into the Palaszczuk government’s Path to Treaty legislation, which passed with the support of the Liberal National Party. But in the wake of the failed Voice referendum in October, Mr Crisafulli decided Treaty was “not the right way forward for Queensland”. He reiterated his intention to repeal the act several times during the election campaign.

Only five official hearings have been held since the ceremonial launch of the Inquiry in September. However, the Inquiry had been consulting Indigenous communities across the state to identify possible participants, with further hearings scheduled in December.

Indigenous mayors and community leaders have urged the government to continue with truth-telling, arguing that the decision is just another example of governments deciding what is best for First Nations people.

Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry chair Joshua Creamer, flanked by Indigenous mayors in support of the Inquiry’s work. Picture: Liam Kidston

The Inquiry was designed to capture the stories of the state’s Indigenous history, which were to be used to guide policy and education tools moving forward. It did not have the power to grant reparations.

The Independent Education Union’s Queensland and Northern Territory secretary, Terry Burke blasted the state government’s decision and said it was a step backwards from achieving meaningful reconciliation with First Nations Peoples.

“It is an utterly shameful decision to halt the inquiry and devastating for First Nations communities to have this long-awaited opportunity for truth, justice and healing revoked,” Mr Burke said.

“First Nations Peoples are yet again having their voices silenced and histories denied.

“If you take issue with the truth being told, you have a serious problem,” he said.

Last week, a report by the Australian Human Rights Commission noted that education about Australia’s history was critical to dismantling racism.