At the regional parliamentary sitting in Cairns earlier this year, State MPs debated the Path to Treaty Bill, available here. This provides legislative framework for a First Nations Treaty Institute.

The majority supported, though concerns were raised, including Sandy’s on how best to negotiate individual treaties considering the confusion, concern and dissent we have seen locally regarding Native Title claims and Indigenous Land Use Agreements due to the confidentiality involved as they are treated as ‘commercial in confidence’. As mentioned in her speech in Parliament, if this journey is for all Queenslanders, all information should be freely available and transparent. There also needs to be more than the standard ‘education campaigns’ referred to, as the confusion between Voice to Parliament (Federal), Path to Treaty (State), Indigenous Land Use Agreements (State) and Native Title claims (Federal) demonstrates why.

Next Steps

Following enquiries by our office, the Queensland (QLD) Minister for Treaty, Hon Leanne Enoch MP, has provided the below information regarding the next steps in the process:

The Path to Treaty Act 2023 was passed on 10 May 2023. 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. The Act provides the legislative framework for a First Nations Treaty Institute and a Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry.

Planning is underway in partnership with the Interim Truth and Treaty Body to deliver the Inquiry and the Institute, which are anticipated to be fully established in 2024.

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. 

Treaty and truth-telling are both essential elements to ensuring healing and reconciliation, and the Path to Treaty is an opportunity for Queensland to build a strong future together based on truth, respect and equity.

Further Information

Further direct advocacy regarding Path to Treaty can be directed to the QLD Minster for Treaty via treatyandcommunities@ministerial.qld.gov.au. Please cc’ our office in via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au and forward any response you receive to us.

To read Sandy’s full speech on the Path to Treaty Bill delivered to Parliament, please visit here.

For our previous Noosa 360 updates on Path to Treaty, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=path+to+treaty

Native Titles claims and determinations are made under Federal Government legislation; however, we have previous Noosa 360 updates regarding to keep residents informed at www.sandybolton.com/?s=Native+Title

For any queries relating to Native Title, please contact your local Federal MP.