September 16, 2024
Cherbourg Mayor Bruce Simpson attended the official launch of Queensland’s Truth Telling And Healing Inquiry in Brisbane on Monday.
The independent, Indigenous-led inquiry was established by the State Government to allow First Nations residents to share their histories directly.
It is part of the State Government’s “Path to Treaty” process.
“The inquiry is timely because Cherbourg has a unique story to share,” Mayor Simpson said.
“Our community embraces this inquiry as we know this opportunity will place our truth to Australia.”
Mayor Simpson said it would allow Cherbourg people to tell their stories so all Australians could know the real truth about what happened to Indigenous people.
It would also help to break down barriers of institutional racism.
The inquiry is being chaired by barrister Joshua Creamer – a Waanyi and Kalkadoon man – with a Board comprising former Supreme Court judge Roslyn Atkinson AO, Truth and Treaty body co-chair Cheryl Buchanan, Indigenous lawyer Ivan Ingram, and Vonda Malone, from the Torres Strait Regional Authority.
It will gather stories and information from Queenslanders across the State as well as non-government organisations; government departments have also been invited to take part.
The formal opening ceremony was held at a packed South Bank Convention Centre and featured a performance by Cherbourg-born singer Maroochy Barambah.
The inquiry was established under legislation backed by both major parties in Parliament in 2023, but its future is now uncertain after Opposition Leader David Crisafulli promised to scrap the Path To Treaty process should the LNP win government at the October State Election.
This followed Queensland’s overwhelming “No” vote at last year’s Referendum to establish an Indigenous “Voice” to Federal Parliament.
Related articles:
- Members Of Treaty Bodies Named
- LNP Ditches Support For Treaty
- 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
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Mayor Bruce Simpson discusses the Truth Telling And Healing Inquiry
