Extract from ABC News
Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry chair Joshua Creamer says if the process is formally stopped it will be a lost opportunity for Queensland. (ABC News: Lucas Hill)
Queensland's Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry will pause its work plan despite concerns stopping it would be a "lost opportunity", as the newly elected state government vows to end the inquiry.
In the lead-up to Saturday's election, now-Premier David Crisafulli said his government would not continue with the inquiry and would repeal the state's Path to Treaty Act.
On Thursday, Mr Crisafulli confirmed it would be scrapped but said he did not wish to make it a "divisive issue".
"We have made a decision, it is the right decision and we stand by it, but I don't want to cause angst to people," he said.
Following Mr Crisafulli's comments, chairperson Joshua Creamer said the inquiry would pause its workplan until further information was available.
"If the inquiry is formally stopped it will be a lost opportunity for the state," he said.
"We are not going to get another opportunity at this in the next decade, two decades, in my lifetime."
The inquiry started in July and was set to run for three years.
The inquiry is part of the state government's Path to Treaty Act — which passed parliament with bipartisan support in 2023.
Mr Creamer said he had received "no communication from the new government" following Saturday's election but would welcome the chance to discuss the inquiry's work with the premier and incoming minister.
Mr Crisafulli said he was open to ideas of how the government could help improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
"I want people to know we are going to do good things for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, including home ownership," he said.
"We don't believe embarking on that process will be one that unites the community, but we do believe we can do so much more."
David Crisafulli says his government stands by its decision to stop the Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry. (ABC News)
However, Mr Creamer said "people sharing their stories to capture an accurate history of our state is not divisive".
"I'm hopeful the inquiry can remain in some form to continue this critical work before it's too late," he said.
Mr Creamer offered his thanks to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who had shared their stories so far and elders who had engaged in the process.
"I am grateful for the support Queenslanders have shown for the inquiry," Mr Creamer said.
Community-led information sessions at Stradbroke Island on Friday and Saturday will go ahead with the inquiry unable to attend on account of its pause.
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