Fri. Nov 22nd, 2024
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Treaty negotiations with First Nations Queenslanders could still be more than five years away, with the responsible state minister revealing it might not even begin in the next term of government.  

Treaty Minister Leeanne Enoch has also declared treaty-making in Queensland will be “almost impossible” without bipartisan support — echoing recent comments from Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.

Her remarks come after LNP leader David Crisafulli withdrew his support for treaty following the failed Voice to Parliament referendum, with his party to abandon the initiative if it wins government at the 2024 election.

The move from the LNP prompted Ms Palaszczuk to last week claim Path to Treaty would need bipartisan support to go ahead — casting doubt over the future of treaty in Queensland.

In her first interview since the referendum, Ms Enoch said she was “absolutely appalled” with the LNP’s treaty decision, as she sought to clarify Labor’s position after the Premier’s comments.

“To negotiate a treaty, which will take potentially multiple governments to land, without bipartisan support is almost impossible,” the minister told ABC Radio Brisbane.

“She [the Premier] is right when she says that treaty requires bipartisan support.

“I can’t imagine any discreet Indigenous community, or any community, entering into negotiations if there’s not some certainty about bipartisan support going forward knowing that it will take many years potentially to negotiate an agreement.”

Premier gesturing as she speaks, behind a lecturn.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk cast doubt on the future of treaty last week.(ABC News: Lucas Hill)

The Queensland parliament passed Path to Treaty laws this year, paving the way for a three-to-four-year truth-telling and healing inquiry which will inform future treaty-making processes.

Ms Enoch insisted the government remained committed to that legislation.

Treaty negotiations ‘many years’ away

Asked what treaties will look like for First Nations communities in Queensland, Ms Enoch said “none of that is fully defined as yet”.

She suggested each treaty — which she described as “modern agreements” — could look different from one location to another.

“We’re on a path right now. That’s why it’s called the Path to Treaty legislation. That’s why we focus on truth-telling right now,” Ms Enoch said.

“That’s where we have to be, to understand why we are where we are right now. And how do we take that information to be able to make these modern agreements going forward.”

The minister acknowledged treaty negotiations were “many years” away, and said it was possible treaty-making would not even begin in the next term of government.

This would mean any negotiations could be more than five years away.

Asked if a Labor government would agree to reparations during the negotiation of treaties, Ms Enoch said she could not talk for future governments.

“But right now, our major focus is on truth-telling,” she said.

The truth-telling inquiry will be made up of five people, with expressions of interest to be released soon.

A close-up of Leeanne Enoch  smiling with trees behind her.

Leeanne Enoch says some parts of the truth-telling inquiry will be “quite uncomfortable”.(ABC News: Chris Gillette)

In the past year, the Queensland State Archives has digitised more than 16,000 records in preparation for truth-telling.

Ms Enoch said she believed the inquiry would begin before next year’s October state election.

“Some of it will be quite uncomfortable,” she said.

“There will be some great things.

“There will be incredible stories about how Queenslanders absolutely extended a hand of compassion and took care of people who were being discriminated against.”

As he announced his decision last week to withdraw his support for Path to Treaty, Mr Crisafulli said the process would “create further division” following the recent referendum.

“The LNP can no longer support a Path to Treaty and will not pursue one if elected to government,” he said.

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