October 19, 2023
The long-running “Path To Treaty” process in Queensland appears to have stalled in the wake of the overwhelming “No” vote at the Voice referendum.
Opposition Leader David Crisafulli said on Thursday a Queensland treaty would “only create further division” and the LNP could no longer support the process.
LNP MPs had previously supported enabling legislation for the Path To Treaty process, which has been under way since 2019.
The Path To Treaty Bill was passed by State Parliament on May 10 after the government accepted recommendations from the Interim Truth and Treaty Body formed after multiple community consultations.
“When the LNP originally agreed to enabling legislation … we did so in good faith as a genuine effort to promote better outcomes for Indigenous Australians,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“In the days since the referendum as I have travelled throughout the State it has become clear to me the Path to Treaty will only create further division.”
Queensland returned the strongest “No” vote of any State at the referendum.
“Sadly, over the past six months Australia and Queensland have been subject to one of the most divisive debates in my life,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“The Prime Minister was repeatedly warned if he pursued the path he chose for the Referendum it would only lead to division, and it did.
“Instead of listening to the people, Labor stubbornly blundered on.
“Arrogantly telling people where to go, instead of bringing people with you, is never the right way forward. I will not make the same mistake the Prime Minister did.
“When Queenslanders speak it is the duty of leaders to listen. Queenslanders have spoken and I have listened.”
Mr Crisafulli said reconciliation should be a shared goal and required a united purpose.
“It’s clear to me Queenslanders do not want to continue down a path that leads to more division and uncertainty. Considering all these factors, it has now become clear a Path to Treaty is not the right way forward for Queensland,” he said.
“Pursuing a Path to Treaty will lead to greater division, not reconciliation, and I cannot support that.
“My priority has always been listening to Queenslanders to ensure a way forward so we can prioritise the issues affecting their lives, like health, housing, crime and cost-of-living.
“We must find a better way forward to improve the lives of Indigenous Queenslanders that unites us all in this cause.
“The LNP can no longer support a Path to Treaty and will not pursue one if elected to government.”
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told reporters on Thursday the Path to Treaty could only go ahead with bipartisan support.
Related articles:
- Truth, Treaty Advice Given To MPs
- Community ‘Yarn’ On Truth, Treaty
- Premier Promises Treaty Legislation
- Next Step Taken On Path To Treaty
- EOIs Sought For Path To Treaty
- Webinar Update On Treaty Process
- Treaty Process Inches Forward
- Treaty Committee To Be Set Up
- Treaty Recommendations Handed Over
- Treaty Meeting In Cherbourg
- Treaty Conversation To Start
- Queensland Starts Path To Treaty
The moral bankruptcy of the LNP continues to astonish me. They were the people who fuelled all the division in the Voice referendum and now they want to foster the same thing again with the Truth Treaty process.
They remind me of the Republicans in the USA, disastrous, dangerous rubbish when in power and even worse in opposition.
I will not vote these idiots back into power until they stop cuddling up to the far right and allow ordinary people to run the party rather than a tight clique of pampered elites.
Little wonder the LNP is disintegrating in other States, and even less wonder that the Teals could take so many formerly LNP-held Federal seats, either.