THE INDEPENDENT Education Union – Queensland and Northern Territory has condemned the Queensland government’s decision to halt the Truth Telling and Healing Inquiry and end the state’s Path to Treaty process.
Union branch secretary Terry Burke said the decision 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.
“It was an opportunity for Queenslanders to hear the lived experiences of elders who were subject to historic colonial policies and practices and from First Nations communities who directly experience the ongoing impacts of colonisation.”
The Queensland Government’s decision to abolish the state’s Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry and repeal its Path to Treaty Act marks a major step backwards for First Nations rights, says Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Katie Kiss.
Newly elected Premier David Crisafulli told media he would follow through on his election promise to end the Queensland’s truth-telling inquiry, which is underway, and repeal its treaty legislation.
“It is disrespectful to communities, but also to the many people who put in years of work to make this inquiry happen,” Commissioner Kiss said.
“This includes the contributions of everyday Queenslanders – Indigenous and non-Indigenous – who provided invaluable input to support truth, justice, and healing.
“Now more than ever, we need policies that promote reconciliation and unity – not division and discord.
First Nations Queenslanders deserve and need to have their rights upheld and their stories heard.”
Commissioner Kiss has written to Mr Crisafulli, urging him to reconsider his decision and offering to work collaboratively with his government.
