Petition from Queensland Residents in Support of the Path to Treaty Act 2023

Queensland Parliament

Queensland's Path to Treaty
Queensland's Path to Treaty

Since the 2023 Referendum, the LNP have committed to revoking the Path to Treaty Act 2023, saying Queenslanders are no longer interested in these concerns.

We, as Queenslanders, disagree.

When the LNP undermine the Path to Treaty, they are undermining this country’s commitment to Closing the Gap.

We know that there is an unacceptable gap in life outcomes between First Nations (Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples) peoples and non-Indigenous peoples in this country – in health, life expectancy, appropriate housing and education.

It is painfully obvious that we need to reframe the relationship with First Nations peoples.

What we need is enduring, long lasting agreements between government and First Nations peoples.

We ask that you join with us to respond, as a community: in solidarity and recognition of the need for truth-telling about the full history of Queensland; that recognise the current situation for First Nations peoples; and in recognition of the need to pursue agreement-making or treaty to restore self-determination and address inequities and injustices.

In May 2023, Queensland Parliament with multi-partisan support, agreed to the passing of the Path to Treaty Act, recognising:

  • That the truth-telling and path to treaty processes will act as recognition of the impacts of colonisation and the State’s commitment to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to build a new future.

  • That the process of truth-telling will help inform the Queensland community generally and help heal the intergenerational trauma suffered by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as a result of colonisation.

  • That the truth-telling and path to treaty processes will provide measurable economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits for Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples, the Queensland community generally and the State.

Please sign this petition to support Queensland Path to Treaty Act 2023 and share this petition with your community.

Over 1,000,000 people voted in favor of a voice at the 2023 referendum, now in Queensland the Path to Treaty Act 2023 is that mechanism.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to uphold the commitment to the Path to Treaty Act 2023.

To: Queensland Parliament
From: [Your Name]

We, the undersigned Queensland residents, in solidarity with the First Nations peoples of Queensland supporting the Path to Treaty Act 2023, draw to the attention of the House the concerns in the community regarding the uncertain future of the Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry and the First Nations Treaty Institute.

These bodies were given multi-partisan support to be enacted in May 2023 when the Path to Treaty Act was passed.

Queensland's Path to Treaty has truth-telling and healing at its very core and commits our state to a path of reconciliation and dedicated effort to Closing the Gap in life outcomes of First Nations Queenslanders. This is central to achieving Queensland's commitments under the National Closing the Gap Agreement.

The Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry provides an opportunity to listen to all Queenslanders, to help build community understanding of Queensland's shared history, and support the process of healing for individuals, communities, the state and help Close the Gap.

Our ability to collectively Close the Gap in life outcomes requires a full and truthful understanding of our shared history.

The need for truth-telling and healing was a consistent and strongly expressed view during the community consultations as part of the Path to Treaty.

We firmly believe the process will enrich all Queenslanders’ sense of place and identity, particularly future generations.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to uphold the commitment to the Path to Treaty Act 2023.

First Nations Action Network acknowledges Country - the lands, the waters, the skies and the winds - connected to the Traditional Custodians and all that live, work and play on the sacred places of the ancestors that have walked before, that walk today and those that will emerge to walk into the future.