Extension on call for community leaders to take next steps on Path to Treaty

Posted: Thursday 21 December 2023

• Expressions of Interest have been extended to Monday 8 January 2024 for member and chairperson roles of the Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry, as well as the inaugural First Nations Treaty Institute Council.
• Five members, including a chairperson, are required to administer the Truth telling and Healing Inquiry, which will help build community understanding of Queensland’s shared history, support the process of healing for individuals, communities, and the state, and Close the Gap.
• The inaugural First Nations Treaty Institute Council will comprise two co-chairs and eight members, all of whom will be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

The deadline for leaders to step forward on the Path to Treaty and be part of the Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry and First Nations Treaty Institute has been extended.

The Expression of Interest (EOI) process for the Inquiry and Treaty Institute Council opened on 30 November the deadline has been extended to 8 January 2024. This will give more time for people to apply, including for any potential applicants who are impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper.

The robust recruitment process was co-designed with the Interim Truth and Treaty Body (ITTB) following extensive consultation across Queensland with First Nations peoples and non-Indigenous Queenslanders.

The Inquiry will hear and record the stories of Queenslanders about the ongoing impacts of colonisation and is expected to be established in 2024 for a period of three years.

The majority of Inquiry members will be First Nations Queenslanders, with at least one Aboriginal person and at least one Torres Strait Islander person.

The Treaty Institute will lead preparations across Queensland to ensure First Nations communities are ready to participate in future treaty negotiations with the Queensland Government.

It will be independent of the government and overseen by the 10-member Treaty Institute Council, all of whom will be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.

The Path to Treaty Act 2023 establishes the legislative framework enabling the Inquiry and the Treaty Institute.

Fast facts and further information

• The Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry has been set up under legislation to hear and record the stories of Queenslanders about the ongoing impacts of colonisation. The truth about the past will help Queenslanders understand how modern Queensland came to be.
• The Inquiry is required to have five members who reflect the gender diversity of Queensland and who are majority First Nations, with at least one Aboriginal person and at least one Torres Strait Islander person. At least one member must be a lawyer of at least five years’ standing who has experience relevant to the functions of the Inquiry.
• Inquiry members and the chairperson will have experience in leading a team in a challenging environment and a proven track record in the conduct of inquiries, reviews, commissions and/or research in the public arena. They will hold full-time positions for the term of the Inquiry, with the renumeration arrangements outlined in the EOI.
• The Treaty Institute Council will comprise two co-chairs and eight members, all of whom will be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
• Treaty Institute Council members will have cultural integrity and authority, courage and strength, impartiality and independence and lived experience as an advocate for Aboriginal peoples and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples. They will hold part-time positions for two years, with the renumeration arrangements outlined in the EOI.
• The EOI process is being managed by an external recruitment agency and applications will be assessed by an independent panel.
• Applicants are invited to find out more information and submit their expression of interest for Member and/or Chairperson of the Inquiry and the Institute by Monday 8 January 2024 via:
  • www.luminarypartners.com.au/truthtellingandhealinginquiry
  • www.luminarypartners.com.au/firstnationstreatyinstitute
• The ITTB was established on 16 August 2022 to lead local truth-telling initiatives and provide independent advice to the Queensland Government on establishment of Path to Treaty structures. For more information, visit www.truthandtreatyqld.org.au.
• For more information about the Path to Treaty, visit www.qld.gov.au/treaty.

[ENDS]
Media contact: media@dsdsatsip.qld.gov.au