The State’s Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships is calling for members of a Path to Treaty Interim Body to play a key role in providing a foundation for treaty making and truth telling.
The Minister, Craig Crawford, encouraged Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous people with leadership experience in community engagement for self-determination and reconciliation to step forward and submit Expressions of Interest.
Mr Crawford said the Government was committed to righting the wrongs of the past.
“The next phase of treaty making is about creating the best environment for negotiations to take place,” Mr Crawford said.
“This will be done through research, community engagement, and co-design of future Path to Treaty structures to progress this significant reform.”
He said Queensland had been on a Path to Treaty since July 2019 to address the “unfinished business” of the forcible displacement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from their land and waters since colonisation.
He said the Path to Treaty would ultimately achieve a treaty, or treaties, between the Queensland Government and First Nations peoples for a new and just relationship: “one that celebrates the vibrant cultures of First Nations and achieves tangible justice, equality, and opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.”
“To achieve a truly reconciled, prosperous and treaty-ready State there is much work to be done,’’ the Minister said.
“We are seeking expressions of interests of those who have the right experience to help lead this process”
Mr Crawford said the advisory body would be appointed for 12 months and include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders as well as non-Indigenous representatives.”
Expressions of Interest will be accepted until 18 July with applications accessible on the Smart Jobs and Careers website at this PS News link.
