Thousands of people gathered both in person and online on Monday 16 September 2024 at a Ceremonial Hearing, marking the official commencement of Queensland’s Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry.
The event opened with a Welcome to Country by Aunty Deborah Sandy, Traditional Owner, Yugara-Yugarapal Aboriginal Corporation Inc, and a Welcome from Aunty Maroochy Barambah, Turrbal Dippil, Songwomen and Elder. Pastor Albert Bowie provided an opening prayer.
Wagga Torres Strait Islander Dance Group performed traditional song and dance.
MC Edward Monaei, OAM, welcomed those who attended by acknowledging this historic event.
In a significant moment, Inquiry Chair, Joshua Creamer, and Members Ivan Ingram, Cheryl Buchanan, Vonda Malone and the Honourable Roslyn Atkinson AO, took to the stage to the sounds of drum, before Chair Creamer addressed the audience.
Mr Creamer, a Waanyi and Kalkadoon barrister, said truth-telling was not about dividing people. “In fact it should be used as a tool to unite us,” he said.
“I think the presence of so many here today is testament to the ability this Inquiry will have to unite. None of us here today are responsible for what occurred in days long past,” he stated.
“The object of the Inquiry is to establish an authoritative public record about the past and its consequences, to enable an honest conversation about that past and what is to be done in the future, and in doing so, assist in the process of healing.”
Significant points in Queensland’s history
Mr Creamer referenced several significant points in Queensland’s history, including the 1993 Mabo decision to overturn the doctrine of terra nullius.
He referred to the Maritime Strike of 1936 where around 70% of Torres Strait Islanders working on fishing and pearling boats went on strike to protest the constraints of the Aboriginal Protection Act, which led to the establishment of the Torres Strait Islanders Act 1939. He also spoke about the 1957 Palm Island Strike, which brought attention to the extreme conditions being lived under at Palm Island.
He also referred to successes, such as Neville Bonner, who grew up on Palm Island and his achievement as the first Aboriginal person in Federal Parliament in 1971 is a remarkable feat.
“Our work will no doubt uncover the many examples in our history where our non-Indigenous people joined as allies in the protection and advocacy for Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”
The Inquiry has important work in its three-year term
Chair Creamer said it’s important the Inquiry is held now, and in many ways should have occurred much earlier, to get an accurate historical record and increase public awareness.
Mr Creamer stated the responsibilities during the three-year term of the Inquiry is to understand the impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples. “In doing so we must also ensure a deeper understanding of that history is shared among Queenslanders in an effort to foster reconciliation.”
“This Inquiry is concerned with the past and the present – delivering a more complete picture of the past and an understanding of the barriers that exist at present.”
“For all of us, there’s an importance in starting with our Elders. Each year we lose more of those Elders. Today’s direct evidence will stretch back to the 1950s and 1940s, but it will not be based on oral testimony alone.
The Inquiry’s work has already indicated Queensland State archives holds over 100,000 items each item can range from being one page to hundreds or even thousands of pages relevant to the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference.
The Inquiry’s work will be culturally informed, trauma informed, ensure free, prior and informed consent and Indigenous data sovereignty is protected.
“We want to strengthen relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to foster reconciliation, deepen respect, send a simple yet clear message – bringing together all Queenslanders on a path to reconciliation,” Mr Creamer said.
Counsel assisting the Inquiry – Angus Scott and Melia Benn – both also spoke at the Ceremonial Hearing. Mr Scott spoke of the first impacts of colonisation in Queensland when a penal colony was established at Moreton Bay, and how the years that followed resulted in violent conflict as First Nations peoples were restricted access to their traditional resources.
Ms Benn said the Inquiry offered an opportunity to heal and it is time to change the narrative and to listen, learn and start to heal.
Information on how to participate in future hearings, and how to make submissions will be published on this website, once available.
The event was also shared via livestream broadcast across Queensland and nationally. You can view a copy of the livestream recording here.
Truth-telling Hearing 18-20 September 2024
The first Truth-telling Hearing where evidence will be heard is on Wednesday 18 September to Friday 20 September 2024 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Boulevard Room, from 9.30am. It is open to the public to attend and listen. Visit Events to learn more.