Path to Treaty Bill 2023 (Qld)

An Act to establish the First Nations Treaty Institute to prepare a framework for treaty negotiations with Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to support Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples to participate in treaty negotiations, to provide for the establishment of the Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry to inquire into the continuing impacts of colonisation on Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and to amend this Act, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities (Justice, Land and Other Matters) Act 1984 and the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990 for particular purposes

Preamble In enacting this Act, the Parliament of Queensland recognises— 1 Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples of Queensland are made up of many distinct communities and groups, each with their own unique laws, traditions, languages, culture and traditional knowledge. 2 Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples successfully governed their lands, seas, waters, air and resources for at least 65,000 years prior to British colonisation of Queensland. 3 The colonisation of Queensland occurred without the consent of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples and often against their active resistance. 4 Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples assert they have never ceded their sovereignty over their lands, seas, waters, air and resources and they continue to assert their sovereignty. 5 Aboriginal peoples have a continuing responsibility for their lands, seas, waters, air and resources under Aboriginal law and Aboriginal tradition. Torres Strait Islander peoples have a continuing responsibility for their lands, seas, waters, air and resources under Torres Strait Islander law and Ailan Kastom. 6 The colonisation of Queensland and the dispossession of the lands, seas, waters and air traditionally occupied and used by Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples had a devastating, and ongoing, impact on Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 7 The foundation for a respectful and mutually beneficial relationship between Aboriginal peoples, Torres Strait Islander peoples and the Queensland community generally is to provide for processes and opportunities to hear the voices of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 8 The process of truth-telling will help inform the Queensland community generally and help heal the trauma suffered by Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples as a result of colonisation. The process will inform treaty negotiations between Aboriginal peoples, Torres Strait Islander peoples and the State, highlight the resilience, enduring culture, law and knowledge of Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and demonstrate how these strengths are priceless assets for Queensland. 9 Treaties between Aboriginal peoples, Torres Strait Islander peoples and the State will act as recognition of the impacts of colonisation and the State's commitment to working with Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples to build a new future. 10 The truth-telling and path to treaty processes will provide measurable economic, social, cultural and environmental benefits for Aboriginal peoples, Torres Strait Islander peoples, the Queensland community generally and the State. The Parliament of Queensland enacts—