The Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships has announced the next steps on the State’s Path to Treaty.
This included the structures to be established in legislation — a First Nations Treaty Institute and a Truth Telling and Healing Inquiry.
At a ceremony to mark the occasion, Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk signed a Statement of Commitment.
An excerpt from the Statement read: “This Path to Treaty is a journey, not for the timid, but for those who are courageous to confront our uncomfortable past, the curious who long to find out and live with the truth, and the optimists who dream of the possibilities of a future where we live comfortably with the past, free of blame and rancour.’’
Ms Palaszczuk said telling the truth about Queensland’s history was an important first step.
“What we do next on the Path to Treaty will define our humanity, our sense of fairness, and the legacy we leave our children,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“We have released our Government’s response to the Treaty Advancement Committee Report as part of the State’s Path to Treaty,” she said.
“We have accepted all 22 of the report’s recommendations either in full or in principle.”
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Craig Crawford said the announcements included concrete actions to advance reconciliation in Queensland.
“The independent First Nations Treaty Institute will be led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and will develop a treaty-making framework for agreement with Government to ensure we have equal voices at the negotiating table,” Mr Crawford said.
“An Independent Interim Body, consisting of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders as well as non-Indigenous representatives, will be in place for the next 12-to-18 months as we develop the legislation to establish the First Nations Treaty Institute and Truth Telling and Healing Inquiry.”
Following this, a formal three-year Truth Telling and Healing Inquiry would be established.
Information about the Path to Treaty can be accessed at this PS News link.
