The leaders of seven government agencies acknowledged the significant harm that historical policies have had on Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples at a Truth-telling Session in Meanjin (Brisbane) on Tuesday 24 September 2024.
The following government agencies appeared before Inquiry Chair Joshua Creamer:
- Department of Treaty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Communities and the Arts
- Department of Resources
- Queensland Police Service
- Department of Justice and Attorney-General
- Department of Premier and Cabinet
- Queensland Health
- Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services
During the session, which was open to the public, each representative made a statement regarding the history of their agency as it related to the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference. The written submissions of each agency were received into evidence.
After hearing the testimonies, Counsel Assisting Benjamin Dighton and Mr Creamer, asked a number of questions of the Directors-General and Police Commissioner.
Department acknowledges the significant impacts of past policies and laws
In the first submission from Department of Treaty, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Communities and the Arts, DG Clare O’Connor acknowledged the significant harms caused by the Native Police, and the system of missions and reserves.
“The Department acknowledges that the conduct of the Queensland Government (including past laws, policies, actions and practices) has impacted Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” the submission stated.
“The Department and its predecessors had the primary responsibility for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs in the Queensland Government and as such, the range of interactions and impacts under historical policies of the Department are expansive.”
Ms O’Connor said that Native Police became the primary [form of] government control, with thousands of Aboriginal people thought to be killed, with department records cataloguing massacre sites across Queensland from the mid-1800s.
The Native Police, which operated in Queensland, disbanded in the early 1900s, and was the longest operating Native Police force in Australia.
Ms O’Connor acknowledged that by the 1880s the living conditions of Aboriginal peoples in Queensland had greatly deteriorated, and in 1875 money was set aside to establish government reserves, marking the start of the protectionist era, which continued until 1965.
She added that the Chief Protector of Aboriginals had enormous control over Indigenous Queenslanders. “Every aspect of life was scrutinised, recorded and governed in detail.”
Ms O’Connor stated the legacy of the missions, described as institutions, were loss of cultural connections, forced labour, denial of basic rights, and more. They were excluded from voting, forbidden to possess alcohol, denied rights to land, had children removed without proof of neglect, compelled to work for no or low wages, and had property seized without consent.
“We acknowledge the harm caused,” she said.
Extensive powers of the government enacted through the Chief Protector
The DG of the Department of Resources, Warwick Agnew, confirmed that his agency’s records indicate that the Chief Protector had extensive powers, including control on employment, housing, personal finances and rights to marriage.
He said those who were issued certificates of exemption, to be provided with certain rights, had to first prove they had adapted to the European way of life, and would sever ties with their families.
Mr Agnew added that records detail children were removed from their parents for an apprenticeship program, while providing businesses with a source of free or cheap labour.
Queensland Police commitment to truth-telling and reframing the relationship
Queensland Police Service Commissioner Steve Gollschewski began his statement by stating a strong commitment to truth-telling and reframing the relationship with Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and a dedication to understanding Queensland Police history.
A taskforce has been established to research Queensland Policing records, with many held in the Queensland State Archives.
“Queensland Police Service is sourcing records to research and record the true history of Queensland Police, both historical and contemporary.”
“We are still developing our understanding,” he said.
How history matters and influences current policy
Other DGs acknowledged their commitment to reframing the relationship with Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples, to confronting history and assisting the Inquiry.
Evidence was also tabled, including identification cards, marriage applications, exemption applications, exemption certificates and removal orders.
Mr Dighton asked of the DGs and Commissioner, “Does history matter?” He also asked for their views on what has gone on before, and how that has an influence on administering policies now.
Ms O’Connor was the first to respond, stating, “Every day in the past, history matters, we hold the keys to that history. Community and Personal Histories has for many years been giving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples back their history.”
“History matters every day to us, we know what happened to people in this state in terrible detail,” said Ms O’Connor.
“Knowing the past gives us the best opportunity to have a different future.”
Commissioner Gollschewski stated that understanding what has happened in the past is incredibly important for the Queensland Police Service, which has been the enforcement arm of the government policies for 160 years.
“Our agency has that continual line back to the start of the state,” he said.
“I am confronted by things that I have read.”
All agencies acknowledged that past policies led to issues of today
There was an acknowledgement by the Department of Child Safety, Seniors and Disability Services that there is an over-representation and a disproportionate number of Aboriginal children and Torres Strait Islander children in care.
DG Deidre Mulkerin acknowledged that generational trauma is passed forward, and for many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children, the sense of history, their mob, family and land has been disrupted.
The Department of Justice and Attorney General DG, Jasmina Joldic PSM, acknowledged legislation developed and implemented has had profound impacts on First Nations people, while the Department of Premier and Cabinet DG, Mike Kaiser, said Queensland’s history of racism and dispossession of First Nations people has led to poor outcomes and generational outcomes.
Queensland Health DG, Michael Walsh, acknowledged that some Closing the Gap targets would not be met, and if services don’t reflect the communities needs, then they are failing the communities.
Inquiry Chair Joshua Creamer completed the Truth-telling session by stating the Inquiry must focus on current barriers and obstacles, and must delve more deeply into the issues and what isn’t working.
The submissions from government agencies will help the Inquiry to prioritise its areas of investigation.
Support
This website contains material and references that may be traumatic. If you, or someone you care about is at risk of harm, call Triple Zero (000) immediately.
13 YARN - 13 92 76
Beyond Blue - 1300 224 636
Lifeline - 13 11 14