David Marler
Latest posts by David Marler (see all)
- Bates In Contempt - 18 September 2024
- Crisafulli To Silence Truth-Telling - 17 September 2024
- Use Of Force – Nuclear Resistance Is Futile - 22 June 2024
Queensland’s Indigenous Truth-telling and Healing inquiry which got underway in Meanjin Brisbane on Monday will halt if there’s a change of government.
In May 2023 Queensland Opposition Leader David Crisafulli fully committed to a state based legislated Indigenous treaty process but by year’s end he’d reneged. He’d helped legislate the Path to Treaty Act during a special sitting of the Queensland parliament in Cairns.
“It is an opportunity I believe Queensland should embrace wholeheartedly.”
David Crisafulli, Path To Treaty bill 2023
Speaking from the same city on Monday, David Crisafulli confirmed he’d repeal that legislation if he becomes premier in at the state election in October.
“I saw what happened during the (Voice) referendum and I’m not prepared to put Queensland through what I saw federally.”
David Crisafulli, Cairns 2024
The inquiry does not have the powers of a royal commission or a court. In opening the hearing on Monday, inquiry chair Joshua Creamer stated that it was not about division but to bring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and non-Indigenous Queenslanders together.
“I know you were tired, but now is not the time to rest. It is time to change the narrative so we can tell all Queensland children about the time we came together, listened, acknowledged the truth and started to heal.”
The turning point for David Crisafulli appears to stem from pressure exerted at the July 2023 Liberal National Party (LNP) state conference. With federal leader Peter Dutton present, opposition was raised from members with the Nationals leader David Littleproud declaring there had never been any Frontier Wars in Australia. NoFibs reported on the event – Uneasy Path to Treaty for the LNP.
By October, in an opinion piece published on the front page of The Courier Mail, Crisafulli unexpectedly outlined his decision to renege. He blamed Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and departed for Hervey Bay leaving a lot of questions.
“The Prime Minister was repeatedly warned if he pursued the path he chose for the referendum it would only lead to division, and it did. Instead of listening to the people, Labor stubbornly blundered on. Arrogantly telling people where to go, instead of bringing people with you, is never the right way forward. I will not make the same mistake the Prime Minister did.”
David Crisafulli, David Crisafulli: Why the LNP will no longer support the Path to Treaty
Queensland’s Indigenous elders were furious and appeals to reconsider were rejected by David Crisafulli upon his return to Meanjin Brisbane.
“The LNP decision is a deep disappointment, a complete reversal of its previous position and a profound mistake. It displays a weakness in leadership and timidity of spirit.”
Interim Truth and Treaty Body, Indigenous Queensland mayor Wayne Butcher says David Crisafulli withdrawing support on a Path to Treaty ‘kicks’ community while it’s down
Yesterday, Joshua Creamer acknowledged that the 3 year series of hearings could be cancelled by a state government at any time but remained focused on the inquiry’s objectives.
The Queensland state election is 26 October, 2024.
