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Queensland truth inquiry reopens submissions

Umito November 22, 2024

The Queensland Truth and Healing Inquiry is once again accepting submissions, to give people the opportunity to share their stories before the Liberal National Party shuts it down.

On Friday afternoon, inquiry chair Joshua Creamer said they had paused their work to seek further information from the Queensland government, after making six requests for an urgent meeting with the Premier, Minister of Indigenous Affairs or the director general of the department.

A planned meeting between the inquiry and Aboriginal Affairs Minister Fiona Simpson was postponed and Mr Creamer said he had received “very little communication” from the government.

“I saw the minister yesterday at the Women’s Legal Service breakfast and she stormed off,” Mr Creamer said.

“She certainly wasn’t coming to me to chat.

“She saw me and went the other way.”

Mr Creamer said it had been 23 days since David Crisafulli announced at a press conference that the inquiry would not be allowed to continue its work.

He acknowledged the government could potentially repeal the legislation when Parliament returns on November 26.

“We certainly can’t sit here for months and months waiting for them to do something,” he said.

“We have a responsibility as members under the law, and I have responsibilities in terms of effective and efficient use of resources.”

Mr Creamer said anyone wishing to share evidence or documents with the inquiry is encouraged to come forward and take this latest opportunity to have their experience become part of the case.

He said are open and documents provided to the inquest will be collected and preserved by the Queensland State Archives.

However, the inquiry will not conduct any truth-telling sessions or hearings as it is unable to commit to providing the necessary ongoing support to staff, individuals and communities.

“The work plan allows the inquiry to reach a respectful conclusion… it demonstrates an effective and respectful use of public resources to achieve results in the interests of all Queenslanders, because the history of Queensland connects us all,” the statement said.

Mr Creamer said it was unprecedented in Queensland for an independent investigation to be disrupted by a change of government.

“As the inquiry moves through this uncertain period, we will continue to seek further information from the Queensland Government about its plans to terminate the inquiry, including how it will support participants and staff employed to help with the investigation,” he said.

The union representing teachers and support staff at non-government schools in Queensland has welcomed the decision to reopen submissions.

Queensland and Northern Territory branch secretary Terry Burke said the inquiry’s decision was fitting and appropriate in the face of the Crisafulli government’s “shameful” actions.

“The lack of basic courtesy shown by the new Queensland Government in ignoring the Commission’s repeated requests to meet with the relevant Minister is shameful,” Mr Burke said.

“This demonstrates a fundamental lack of respect for First Nations people, the Inquiry and those who have made submissions to date.

“We strongly support the decision made today by the Commission Chairman and encourage our members and others to tell their stories to the Commission as soon as possible so that these matters can be made public in the state archives.”

“We once again urge the new Queensland Premier to reconsider his plans to repeal the law. Path to Treaty Act.

“David Crisafulli can still be on the right side of history and not silence the voices of First Nations people. »

Last year spoke in favor of the Path to Treaty Bill, saying he hoped it could be the catalyst for real government accountability and materially improve the lives of Queensland’s indigenous people.

“The path to treaty is a real opportunity for our state to improve the lives of Aboriginal Australians,” he told parliament during the debate.

“It’s an opportunity I think Queensland should embrace wholeheartedly.”

However, since becoming leader of the National Liberal Party, Mr Crisafulli has changed his position and, shortly after his election in late October, told the media that the upcoming truth hearings in Cherbourg and Minjerribah/Terrangerri (Island Stradbroke) would not be permitted. to move forward, despite months of preparation.

“Even in Cherbourg, for example… we prepared 40 witnesses who would spend at least two or three hours each testifying,” Mr Creamer said.

“This is a significant body of evidence from a community and the depth and detail of this story will be lost, and the opportunity for Queensland to understand its history will be lost by putting the investigation aside. “

The Prime Minister’s Office has been contacted for comment.