Historic Path to Treaty legislation passes Parliament

• The Path to Treaty Bill creates the legislative framework to establish a First Nations Treaty Institute and a formal Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry.
• The historic Bill was co-designed between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous people working together and today received bipartisan support from the Queensland Parliament, which is sitting in Cairns.
• The Institute and the Inquiry will guide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the Queensland Government in working together towards truth telling and a treaty or treaties.

Queensland’s Path to Treaty has been set into law with the passing of landmark legislation in Cairns today.

The Path to Treaty Bill provides the legislative framework to create the structures to prepare for negotiating a treaty or treaties between Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the Queensland Government.

Co-designed with the Interim Truth and Treaty Body (ITTB), made up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and non-Indigenous members, the historic Bill received bipartisan support from the Queensland Parliament, sitting in Cairns this week.

The ITTB will now work with the Government to establish a First Nations Treaty Institute and a formal Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry.

Once established, the Inquiry will run over three years and investigate the true history of Queensland and the continuing impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Queensland.

The Institute will support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to prepare for, and participate in, treaty negotiations with the Queensland Government.  

To learn more about Queensland’s Path to Treaty, visit qld.gov.au/treaty.

Quotes attributable to the Premier:

“The passing of the Path to Treaty Bill in Cairns today is a historic moment for Queensland.

“It furthers the commitment made between the Queensland Government, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and non-Indigenous Queenslanders on 16 August 2022, and paves the way for truth-telling and healing, and treaty preparations to begin.

“I want to thank the Interim Truth and Treaty Body for co-designing this landmark legislation with the Queensland Government and consulting with communities across the state so that we can progress on the Path to Treaty.

“All Queenslanders will benefit from a reconciled Queensland, and we are committed to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples towards reconciliation, truth-telling and healing, and reframing the relationship.”

Quotes attributable to Minister Crawford:

“Any treaty must be based on truth. The Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry will provide a public platform for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Queenslanders to tell their truth.

“These next steps will build acknowledgment and understanding of our shared history.

“It will support individuals, communities, and Queensland to heal, and set out a way forward for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the Palaszczuk Government to work together towards future treaties.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Cook Cynthia Lui:

 “Today is a clear turning point in our state’s history. I am humbled to take part in this very important journey – a journey that will have a long-lasting impact for many generations to come.

“I see this Bill as a pillar of hope – one that will carry our hopes, dreams and aspirations into the future.”

ENDS

Media contact: Peter Michael 0477 948 091