Appointment of leaders brings truth-telling and healing closer

• Members of the Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry and First Nations Treaty Institute announced.
• The establishment of the Inquiry and Institute is a significant step towards reframing the relationship between Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the Queensland Government.
• The Inquiry and Institute will play an important role in the Queensland Government’s commitment to Closing the Gap.

The Queensland Government has today announced members of the Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry and First Nations Treaty Institute.

Minister for Treaty Leeanne Enoch today said experienced Barrister, Joshua Creamer, would serve as the Chair of the Truth Telling and Healing Inquiry.

Mr Creamer is a Waanyi and Kalkadoon man with connections to north-west Queensland who specialises in human rights, class actions and native title.

He was previously named National Indigenous Legal Professional of the Year. Mr Creamer was also a member of the Board of Legal Aid Queensland and a past President of the Indigenous Lawyers Association of Queensland.

The 10 eminent members of the First Nations Treaty Institute Council bring extensive experience, connections and insight to guide and lead truth-telling and healing in Queensland.

A robust independent recruitment process was undertaken for the appointments of the Inquiry members and Institute Council.

The Path to Treaty Act 2023 commenced by proclamation this week following the appointments. The legislation passed on 10 May 2023 at the Cairns regional parliament, with bi-partisan support.

Members of the Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry consist of:

• • Mr Joshua Creamer (Chair)
  • The Honourable Roslyn Atkinson AO
  • Ms Cheryl Buchanan
  • Mr Ivan Ingram
  • Ms Vonda Malone

Members of the First Nations Treaty Institute Council consist of:

• • Mr Albert Bowie
  • Ms Seleena Blackley
  • Professor Valerie Cooms
  • Ms Michelle Deshong
  • Dr Janine Gertz
  • Dr Tracey Harbour
  • Associate Professor Phillip Mills OAM
  • Professor Cindy Shannon AM
  • Mr David Saylor
  • Mrs Ivy Trevallion

Quotes attributable to Treaty and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Leeanne Enoch:

“The announcement of members of the Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry and First Nations Treaty Institute Council confirms the Queensland Government’s commitment to reframing the relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

“We know that there is an unacceptable gap in life outcomes between First Nations peoples and non-Indigenous people in this country.

“The Path to Treaty will advance the Queensland Government’s commitment to Closing the Gap.

“The Inquiry and Institute Council members will play a pivotal role in building community understanding of Queensland’s shared history and support the healing process for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, non-Indigenous peoples and communities.

“I want to acknowledge members of the Interim Truth and Treaty Body, the Treaty Advancement Committee, the Treaty Working Group and the Eminent Panel for their significant work which has led us to this point in the process.” 

Quotes attributable to Joshua Creamer:

‘I’m honoured to Chair Queensland’s Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry.

“Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples have been seeking truth-telling and healing for a long time and the establishment of the Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry is a significant step for Queensland to take towards a better future.

“It will be incredibly important that the community has confidence to share in this process as we work to acknowledge the complete history of the colonisation of Queensland.

“I know this body of work will change the future in a positive way for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Queensland, and Queensland more broadly.

“I look forward to joining the esteemed members of the Inquiry when we officially commence on 1 July 2024.”

 Fast Facts:

• Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry – The Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry is an important part of the truth-telling and healing process in Queensland. It will act independently to provide a public platform to listen and record stories, educate and build understanding about First Nations history and culture, and make recommendations for next steps.
• First Nations Treaty Institute - The First Nations Treaty Institute is a statutory body, operating independently from the Queensland Government. The Act provides that the functions of the Institute include:
  • co-developing a treaty-making framework with the Queensland Government
  • supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to record the impacts and effects of colonisation on their communities to inform their participation in future treaty negotiations
  • consulting, supporting and empowering Aboriginal peoples, Torres Strait Islander peoples and representative entities in relation to scoping, initiating and participating in treaty negotiations with the state.
• The Path to Treaty Act 2023 - establishes the legislative framework to set up the Inquiry and the Institute. This historic Act is the first of its kind in Queensland, co-designed between the Interim Truth and Treaty Body and the Queensland Government. The Act is the cornerstone for establishing the Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry and the First Nations Treaty Institute. It passed the Queensland Parliament on May 10 2023 with bi-partisan support and was proclaimed into law today.  

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