Path to Treaty Bill 2023

Spoke passionately in support, describing the bill as a profound opportunity to evolve connections across cultures and broaden understanding of Queensland's actual history, urging all members to vote affirmatively.

“I not only commend the bill to the House but I also urge sincerely all members to consider voting affirmatively for this historic bill. In future years this bill will be examined and it will be considered like no other bill.”— 2023-05-10View Hansard

As the responsible minister, moved the second reading and outlined the bill's establishment of the First Nations Treaty Institute and Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry, describing it as historic legislation to reframe the relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

“We meet here today for this historic regional parliament in Cairns on the lands of Gimuy Walubara Yidinji people... It is exactly these sorts of matters that will form part of the Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry as it progresses.”— 2023-05-09View Hansard

Rose in support, describing the bill as a landmark in how Queensland chooses to move forward and bring the community closer together while recognising the process of colonisation.

“This bill before us today is a landmark in how we as a community choose to move forward, how we choose to bring the community closer together and, in doing that, how we recognise the process of colonisation that marginalised and disempowered our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”— 2023-05-10View Hansard

As Shadow Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, announced the LNP will not oppose the bill and sees it as an important step forward for a better future for all Queenslanders.

“The LNP will not oppose the Path to Treaty Bill and see the bill as an important step forward in a better future for all Queenslanders and our relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”— 2023-05-09View Hansard

Acknowledged the bill's historic significance and drew on his connection to Wulgurukaba and Bindal country to support the Path to Treaty process.

“I, too, come from an amazing part of the land. I come from Wulgurukaba and Bindal country. Wulgurukaba people are the canoe people and for 65,000 years they paddled across to Yunbenun.”— 2023-05-10View Hansard

As a Torres Strait Islander member and committee member, spoke passionately about the bill representing hope for First Nations people and recognition of their history, culture and self-determination.

“I see this bill as a pillar of hope—one that will carry our hopes, dreams and aspirations into the future.”— 2023-05-09View Hansard

Expressed indifference to the bill's outcome while criticising the government for prioritising symbolic measures over practical outcomes like fixing grocery prices, housing, and health services in Indigenous communities.

“I am indifferent to the outcome. Whether it changes or not, I know I am still going to be back here in a couple of years talking about exactly the same things and trying to get outcomes for these people who are crying out for help.”— 2023-05-10View Hansard

As committee deputy chair, expressed support while raising concerns about the short consultation period, confusion with the federal Voice to Parliament, and the naming of the Treaty Institute.

“This bill is an important step forward for a better future for all Queenslanders and improved relationships with Indigenous Australians.”— 2023-05-09View Hansard

Rose to support the bill, describing it as one of the most important things the Queensland parliament will do, and thanked the Premier for introducing it.

“I rise today to support this bill. I am so humbled to be part of this government and part of this parliament in making a contribution here today.”— 2023-05-10View Hansard

As a committee member, spoke emotionally about what he learned during the inquiry hearings and described the bill as one of his greatest privileges in the House.

“Even though this is long overdue, it will probably be my greatest privilege and honour in this House.”— 2023-05-09View Hansard

Drew on personal experiences with Aboriginal elders including Aunty Honor Cleary and visits to Cherbourg to support truth-telling and the bill, emphasising the need to address wrongs of past legislation.

“Now it is our time as legislators to address the wrongs of past legislation and pass new legislation which treats all Indigenous people with the dignity and respect they deserve. We all owe it to our First Nations people. I commend the bill to the House.”— 2023-05-10View Hansard

The Greens wholeheartedly support the bill while expressing concerns about the rushed consultation period and the three-year timeframe for the Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry, which he argued should be extended to five years.

“The Greens and I wholeheartedly support the bill and the parallel processes it establishes.”— 2023-05-09View Hansard

Spoke in support of the bill as Minister for Tourism, Innovation and Sport and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics and Paralympics.

“I rise to support this bill.”— 2023-05-10View Hansard

Spoke as a First Nations member about the bill marking one of the most significant milestones towards reconciliation in Queensland's history and treaty providing a path for generational change.

“With this bill we mark one of the most significant milestones towards reconciliation in Queensland's history.”— 2023-05-09View Hansard

Will not oppose the bill, emphasising that Path to Treaty must be about unity rather than division, and called for real practical action on health, education, housing and employment in Indigenous communities.

“I will not be opposing this bill because, as Queenslanders and Australians, we value unity. Unity is the basis of the great Australian trait of mateship and it is unity that held together Indigenous groups throughout history.”— 2023-05-10View Hansard

Expressed support for the bill's objectives but was highly critical of the eight-week consultation period, noting that her electorate's Indigenous community of Cherbourg was not consulted, and criticised the government's record on Closing the Gap targets.

“It is with deep sadness that I note that even the committee chair acknowledged that they did not get enough time to come to the electorate of Nanango and, indeed, even consult with the good people of Cherbourg.”— 2023-05-09View Hansard

Spoke in support of the bill, acknowledging its historic significance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

“I rise to speak in support of this historic bill.”— 2023-05-10View Hansard

Spoke about learning the truth from Darumbal elders in her electorate, including stories of massacres, and supported the committee's visit to Woorabinda and Rockhampton.

“I have learned so much from them about the truth, about history, about culture, about our community, about the land and country that we live on. I really do believe it is my role and responsibility in this place to help share that truth and tell that truth.”— 2023-05-09View Hansard

Spoke in support of the bill, recognising its importance for reconciliation and truth-telling.

“I rise to speak in support of this historic bill.”— 2023-05-10View Hansard

Emphasised the bill's importance in establishing a truth-telling and healing process and formally recognising that colonisation occurred without consent and sovereignty was never ceded.

“This parliament will now recognise that sovereignty was never ceded, that there was the desecration and dispossession of rich and vast cultures, and that the children were not simply taken for the right reasons but they were stolen.”— 2023-05-09View Hansard

Spoke in support of the bill, acknowledging its significance for Queensland's First Nations peoples.

“I rise to speak in support of the Path to Treaty Bill.”— 2023-05-10View Hansard

Described the bill as a tangible and real start to rectifying past wrongs and truly reconciling with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“This is our chance to do what we should have done two centuries ago—to make a treaty or treaties with Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”— 2023-05-09View Hansard

Acknowledged First Nations people but criticised the government for being high on rhetoric and tokenism while lacking meaningful action, arguing the $300 million would be better spent on health services, education, jobs and cheaper food in communities.

“This government is high on rhetoric and tokenism but lacks any real meaningful action when it comes to making a difference in the lives of those living in Indigenous communities.”— 2023-05-10View Hansard

Contributed to the debate acknowledging the significance of the bill while highlighting examples of local reconciliation efforts like the teaching of Gunggari language at St Patrick's School in Mitchell.

“There is a school in my electorate, St Patrick's School in Mitchell, where the children, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, have been learning Gunggari language.”— 2023-05-09View Hansard

Spoke in support as Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef, emphasising the bill's significance.

“I rise to speak in support of this historic bill.”— 2023-05-10View Hansard

Drew comparisons with New Zealand's Treaty of Waitangi and the integration of Maori culture, expressing support for forging a new partnership between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

“The treaty is about the fact that, as the member for Bundamba has so beautifully reflected, for the last few hundred years we—Indigenous Australians and non-Indigenous Australians—have had a shared history.”— 2023-05-09View Hansard

Spoke in support as Minister for Employment and Small Business, acknowledging the bill's historic importance.

“I rise to speak in support of this historic bill.”— 2023-05-10View Hansard

Focused on the importance of the Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry, noting that Aboriginal history was largely absent from school education and this bill addresses that gap.

“The history of Australia's First Nations people was largely absent in school... Our textbooks never mentioned the over 50,000 years of inhabitation of these lands.”— 2023-05-09View Hansard

Spoke in support of the bill, drawing on connections to First Nations communities in her electorate.

“I rise to speak in support of this historic bill.”— 2023-05-10View Hansard

Expressed concerns that the bill is separatist and divisive, arguing that the $300 million should be spent on immediate practical issues like health, housing and youth crime in Indigenous communities rather than truth-telling processes.

“I believe in equality. That is why I walked into this House. I think everyone in this House should believe in equality. I think treating people differently based on their genetic and cultural heritage is the wrong way for this state to be heading.”— 2023-05-09View Hansard

Pleased to contribute to the debate, acknowledging the importance of truth-telling and connection to country, but expressed concerns about rushed consultation and called for genuine engagement with all Indigenous communities including in remote areas.

“I am pleased to see that the state will be progressing Path to Treaty to provide people from all cultural backgrounds with a deeper understanding of a sense of place, a sense of connection and a sense of belonging.”— 2023-05-10View Hansard

As Minister for Police and Corrective Services, outlined work already being done across government agencies to prepare for treaty and argued it is time for truth and justice.

“Justice never sleeps. It is time for an awakening and it is time for justice to be done and time for justice to be seen to be done. It is time for First Nations people to have a proper voice.”— 2023-05-09View Hansard

Spoke in strong support of the bill, drawing on his North Queensland connections and acknowledging the historic significance of the legislation.

“I rise to speak in support of the Path to Treaty Bill.”— 2023-05-10View Hansard

Placed Queensland's Path to Treaty in the context of reconciliation movements globally, citing treaties in the United States, New Zealand and Canada, and the 1967 referendum.

“I am incredibly proud to be part of this chapter in this story by speaking on this bill this evening.”— 2023-05-09View Hansard

Spoke in support, urging all members to listen to the voice of First Nations people and support the bill, describing it as a proud addition to Labor's tradition of reform.

“I urge all members of the House to listen to the voice of First Nations people, to listen to the call of history and to support this bill.”— 2023-05-10View Hansard

Spoke about Indigenous people in his electorate including the Iningai, Mithaka and Pitta Pitta peoples, while highlighting that Closing the Gap targets are not being met in health and education.

“In the seat of Gregory there are many Indigenous people who have played a significant role in the economic development of Western Queensland.”— 2023-05-09View Hansard

Opposed the bill, arguing it was rushed through without proper consultation, that many First Nations people do not want the bill, and that the process is top-down and agenda-driven rather than empowering self-determination.

“Many First Nations people have told me they do not want this bill or treaty. What they want is to be treated with respect and courtesy and to be given more time to understand what the government is proposing to do so they can then consult, discuss and decide for themselves.”— 2023-05-10View Hansard

Spoke about the contrast between well-documented European settler history and the sparse documentation of First Nations stories, supporting truth-telling to address this imbalance.

“I was struck with the contrast of how well we know and how well we document our local stories from colonisation forward and yet we are desperately missing the stories of the period that precedes that point in time.”— 2023-05-09View Hansard

Spoke in strong support of the bill, emphasising the importance of truth-telling and reconciliation.

“I rise to speak in support of this historic bill.”— 2023-05-10View Hansard

Spoke about substituting on the committee hearings in Cairns and Weipa and hosting a Path to Treaty forum in her electorate with over 90 attendees.

“It was a truly humbling experience to hear the truth from local First Nations people. Sadly, for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples the truth is not always easy to speak and, frankly, it is not easy to listen to.”— 2023-05-09View Hansard

Spoke in support as Minister for Children and Youth Justice and Minister for Multicultural Affairs.

“I rise to speak in support of this historic bill.”— 2023-05-10View Hansard

Argued that Path to Treaty is the right thing to do because colonial settlement was not done on a legal basis, citing the terra nullius doctrine and Henry Reynolds' work on the legal history.

“Let me be clear about what I believe: the settlement of the land in Queensland was in fact a seizure of the land, contrary to the legal doctrines of the day.”— 2023-05-09View Hansard

Supportive of the bill overall but opposed the government's amendment removing automatic disqualification for indictable offences from Treaty Institute Council positions, arguing this lowers standards.

“The wellbeing and progression of Indigenous Australians is extremely important, and I welcome the bipartisan commitment that this House has to provide outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. The Path to Treaty Bill largely offers a way forward and I am supportive of the Path to Treaty Bill.”— 2023-05-10View Hansard

As the local member for Cairns where the regional parliament was being held, expressed pride in being part of a government doing the right thing and quoted Gough Whitlam on Australia's treatment of Aboriginal people.

“It is a great privilege and I consider it to be a highlight of my parliamentary career to be part of a government that is doing the right thing. It is just the right thing to do.”— 2023-05-09View Hansard

Spoke passionately in support, acknowledging colonisation history as brutal, traumatic and unjust, and describing the bill as an opportunity to reframe and reshape the future together.

“There can be no denying the profound nature of the legislation we debate in this parliament—the magnitude of its possibility. The connection that our First Nations people have to country and culture is undeniably profound. Our colonisation history is brutal. It is traumatic. It is unjust.”— 2023-05-10View Hansard

Rose in support of the bill, acknowledging the catastrophic impact of terra nullius and expressing hope that the path to treaty will result in significant reforms and closing of the gap.

“As we stand here in this chamber today and debate this legislation, my hope—and I am sure the hope of all of us in the House—is that the outcome of this path to treaty will result in significant reforms for Indigenous Australians.”— 2023-05-09View Hansard

Spoke as Premier in strong support, describing treaty with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as this generation's historic mark, beginning to put right centuries of wrongs.

“Each generation is called to make its mark on its age. A treaty with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is ours. This moment here and now begins to put right centuries of wrongs.”— 2023-05-10View Hansard

Spoke in support of the bill, emphasising the significance of the preamble recognising that colonisation occurred without consent and that Aboriginal peoples have never ceded their sovereignty.

“As said so well in the preamble of the bill, the Parliament of Queensland will recognise for the first time what we all know to be true and are self-evident.”— 2023-05-09View Hansard

Offered support for the bill while emphasising that practical measures to close the gap must remain at the forefront, and expressing scepticism about whether the bill will deliver real improvements given past government failures.

“We must acknowledge our history and, in turn, this bill must lead to better outcomes for our First Australians. We have seen far too many failures in policy in this area.”— 2023-05-10View Hansard

Stated he would support the bill while expressing concerns about the inadequate consultation period and scepticism about whether the process will deliver practical results for disadvantaged Indigenous communities.

“I think the bill is a good bill. It is necessary that we move forward. It is necessary for people whose stories have not been told and for the hurt that they have experienced which has not been acknowledged to be acknowledged.”— 2023-05-09View Hansard

Spoke in strong support as Minister for Education, emphasising the importance of education in truth-telling and committing to review and update curriculum so true history can be taught in schools.

“I commit that we will continue to review and update our curriculum so that a true history can be told in our schools.”— 2023-05-10View Hansard

Shared statements from students at Kutta Mulla Gorinna Special Assistance School who wanted to be part of the bill, emphasising this is an opportunity to break the cycle for Indigenous youth.

“If Aunty is to do it, please don't stuff it up. This is our chance and probably only chance.”— 2023-05-09View Hansard

Spoke in support of the bill, acknowledging its historic significance for reconciliation.

“I rise to speak in support of the Path to Treaty Bill.”— 2023-05-10View Hansard

As Minister responsible for the bill, delivered the reply speech thanking all members for their contributions and acknowledging the bipartisan support, describing the bill as a significant milestone towards treaty.

“I would like to acknowledge the opposition leader in how he indicated his support. It has great significance that this bill be passed with such bipartisan support. Treaty is of such significance that it cannot be a political football.”— 2023-05-10View Hansard