Image: The Interim Truth and Treaty Body with the Community Support and Services Committee. (QLD Parliament)
Queensland is moving quickly on its Path to Treaty Bill, following years of planning and delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Introduced into state parliament on February 22, the historic Bill seeks to lay a foundation for Treaty-making with sovereign Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, under the guidance of the Interim Truth and Treaty Body (ITTB), which co-designed the Path to Treaty Bill.
The Community Support and Services Committee held its first public inquiry into the Bill in Brisbane on Monday, examining the processes and policy of the key reform before they head to regional QLD for a series of Public Forums next week.
Over the next month, the Committee alongside the ITTB will travel to Cairns, Weipa, Thursday Island, Palm Island, Townsville, Longreach, Woorabinda, Rockhampton, before finishing up in Logan on April 17.
The Committee will table its final report on April 21, with parliament expected to vote on the matter sometime in May.
Subject to the landmark laws passing, Queensland will have the legislative framework to set up the Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry and the First Nations Treaty Institute, with at least $10 million a year going towards the Institute.
Aunty Cheryl Buchanan is co-chair of the Interim Truth and Treaty Body and said once the Path to Treaty Bill is legislated, the Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry will run for a minimum of three years and hold as many public truth-telling sessions on-country as possible.
Aunty Cheryl Buchanan:
Buchanan, a Guwamu Nation Elder from southwest Queensland says what makes the Bill significant is the recognition of First Nations Sovereignty in the legislation.
Aunty Cheryl Buchanan:
