The Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry will hold its first Truth-telling session with government representatives on Tuesday 24 September 2024, to receive into evidence written submissions received to date from government agencies.
Representatives from seven government agencies will appear before the Inquiry Chair, Waanyi and Kalkadoon Barrister Mr Joshua Creamer during the Truth-telling session.
Written submissions from government agencies will inform the future work of the Inquiry. The submissions will also help the Inquiry to identify and prioritise particular areas of investigation.
Senior representatives have been invited to attend the session to provide oral submissions in relation to topics relevant to the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference.
Government agencies to appear on Tuesday 24 September 2024 are:
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
Truth-telling session – government representatives
Tuesday 24 September 2024
Session 1: 9:30am - 11.30am
Session 2: 11.30am - 12:30pm
Room B1 & B2, Boulevard Level, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre
Entry via Grey Street (opposite ABC South Bank), South Bank, Meanjin (Brisbane).
This session is open to the public to attend. There is no need to register your attendance.
This session will be recorded, filmed and will be uploaded to the Inquiry’s website, but will not be live-streamed.
Event information: Truth-telling session - government representatives
About the Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry:
The Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry is an independent Inquiry with 5 members, Chairperson Joshua Creamer and Members the Honourable Roslyn Atkinson AO, Cheryl Buchanan, Ivan Ingram, and Vonda Malone.
The Inquiry commenced on 1 July 2024 with the aim to listen, share and collect evidence on a scale like never before, gaining a more accurate picture of how colonisation has impacted Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Queensland.
The Inquiry is guided by a Terms of Reference, and is inquiring into the experience of, and effect on, Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples of the conduct (including past laws, policies, actions and practices) of colonial and state governments. Areas of inquiry include:
- displacement, dispossession, settlement and management of lands, seas and waters;
- assimilation and protection;
- missions and reserves;
- separation of children, or other family members, from their families;
- and more.
Through the Inquiry, Queenslanders can better understand the contributions and the unique needs and challenges of First Nations peoples, and the shared benefits of acknowledging and embracing these.
The Inquiry held its first Truth-telling hearing from Wednesday 18 September 2024 to Friday 20 September 2024 in Meanjin (Brisbane). A hearing is a formal sitting of all 5 Inquiry members.