Queensland's Path to Treaty
Where are we up to?
On 16 August 2022 the Queensland Government, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous Queenslanders signed Queensland’s Path to Treaty Commitment. The Commitment is a collective pledge to be courageous and curious, open to hearing the truth of our state’s history, and to work together to be ready to, and to make negotiating treaties possible.
Following the signing of the Commitment, the Queensland Government has worked with the Interim Truth and Treaty Body, made up of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders and non-Indigenous representatives, to continue to progress Path to Treaty.
Path to Treaty Act 2023
On 10 May 2023 the Queensland Government passed the Path to Treaty Act 2023, a landmark Act for this state. The legislation was co-designed with the Interim Truth and Treaty Body.
The Act provides for a:
- First Nations Treaty Institute to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to prepare for treaty negotiations
- Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry to hear and record the historical and ongoing impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders.
How will the Act help to progress a treaty in Queensland?
The Path to Treaty Act 2023 establishes the legislative framework to set up the Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry and the First Nations Treaty Institute.
The Inquiry will be held for three years, unless extended.
The Institute will provide ongoing support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through the treaty negotiation process.
Early planning, in partnership with the Interim Truth and Treaty Body, is underway to create the dedicated offices and resources to deliver the Inquiry and the Institute.
The next steps on Path to Treaty will:
- build community understanding of our shared history and support the process of healing for individuals, communities, and our state
- set out a way forward for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the Queensland Government to work together towards a future treaty or treaties.
More information
- Read more about the Institute and the Inquiry.
- Subscribe to Treaty News to stay up to date with Path to Treaty news and activities.
In this guide: