Indigenous community to ‘tell our truth’ at inquiry

November 6, 2024

By KEIRA JENKINS

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will continue to tell their truth regardless of which political party wins Queensland’s election, the mayor of an Indigenous community says.

Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council mayor Bruce Simpson said Queensland’s truth-telling and healing inquiry will visit the community in November, representing an opportunity to hear the stories of local elders.

“Our truth is everyone’s truth, our story is everyone’s story,” he said.

 

“Cherbourg has the opportunity to finally tell their truth and continue the history of our people.”

Opposition Leader David Crisafulli again promised to scrap the truth-telling inquiry if the LNP win the state election on Saturday.

“I saw what happened after the (voice) referendum, I saw the division and I don’t want to go down the same path for Queensland,” Mr Crisafulli told reporters on Tuesday.

Speaking at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, flanked by walls adorned with Indigenous artworks, Mr Crisafulli said he was focused on the “thing we can control”.

“I want to get outcomes for Indigenous Australians,” he said.

“I want to unite, not divide. I want to give hope and I want them to be able to realise some dreams where they live as well.”

Inquiry chair Joshua Creamer said the inquiry was about unity, not division.

“If you understand history, we have been divided,” he said.

“We were separated as a people. This is about bringing us together and actually what do we want for the future.”

Mr Creamer said halting the inquiry would mean a “lost opportunity for our generation”.

“People want to share their truth, they want to be part of this process,” he said.

“It’d be devastating for the community to lose that opportunity.”

Mr Simpson said no matter who won the election, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people would continue to tell their truth.

“Our people are resilient,” he said.

“We will continue to fight the fight, to tell our story and to tell our truth.”

The inquiry will hold a truth-telling session in Cherbourg on November 19.

AAP

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