The recent decision by the Queensland Government to abolish the Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry is a significant setback to reconciliation and justice for First Nations people. The inquiry, originally launched to address historical injustices and provide a platform for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices, aimed to shed light on the brutal impacts of colonisation and foster healing through open acknowledgment of the past. As supporters of reconciliation, it is crucial that we urge the Queensland Government to reinstate this inquiry and commit to the truth-telling and healing process.

The Purpose of Truth-Telling and Healing

Truth-telling is a foundational principle in the reconciliation process. It provides a means for First Nations communities to share their experiences and for non-Indigenous Australians to understand the long-lasting impacts of colonisation. By documenting and acknowledging the forced removal of land, cultural suppression, and violence experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, truth-telling enables all Australians to confront the reality of our nation’s history.

The Queensland Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry was established as a platform for these stories to be told, recorded, and recognised. With this inquiry, First Nations people in Queensland were provided an opportunity to express their stories of trauma and survival, fostering understanding and empathy across communities. As Reconciliation Australia (2023) explains, “truth-telling is essential to our journey towards reconciliation and understanding the deep-rooted injustices that First Nations people have faced in Australia” (Reconciliation Australia, 2023).

Why Truth-Telling is Essential for Reconciliation

Truth-telling is not simply about recounting historical events; it’s a critical step toward achieving justice and equality. Without recognising the atrocities committed during colonisation—including the near-genocide of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander populations, forced removals, and the destruction of culture and language—Australia cannot move forward as a reconciled nation. For non-Indigenous Australians, hearing these truths is essential for understanding the deep intergenerational trauma that continues to affect First Nations communities.

According to Reconciliation Australia (2023), “truth-telling is vital for breaking down misconceptions and fostering an inclusive national identity based on respect and understanding.” Research supports that truth-telling processes can facilitate psychological healing for survivors and their descendants, helping to mend fractured relationships between First Nations and non-Indigenous communities (Markham & Biddle, 2018). Healing and reconciliation depend on acknowledging the harm done, which, in turn, lays the foundation for creating a society where all Australians can coexist with mutual respect.

Calling on the Queensland Government to Reinstate the Inquiry

The Queensland Government’s decision to abolish the Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry threatens to undermine reconciliation efforts in Queensland and across the country. By listening to First Nations voices and reinstating the inquiry, the government has the chance to demonstrate its commitment to healing and reconciliation. It is essential to remember that reconciliation is not only for the benefit of First Nations people but is a journey for all Australians, one that creates a more inclusive and truthful understanding of our shared history.

Standing Together for a Truthful Future

Let us stand together and demand the Queensland Government reverse its decision. The history of colonisation in Australia is painful and complex, involving convicts forcibly brought to the land and colonisers who committed atrocities against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Acknowledging these events is not about assigning blame to contemporary Australians but about taking responsibility for building a nation founded on truth and respect.

To truly achieve reconciliation, we must collectively recognise the historical wrongs and their ongoing effects on First Nations communities. As a nation, Australia must commit to the principles of truth-telling, healing, and respect for all Indigenous cultures, fostering a future where all voices are heard, and histories are acknowledged.

In calling for the reinstatement of the Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry, we are calling for justice, respect, and a reconciled future. Together, let us ensure that the truth of what happened on this land is told so that healing and understanding can take root in this country we all call home.

An 1888 drawing of a massacre by Queensland’s native police at Skull Hole, Mistake Creek, near Winton. A Norwegian scientist, Carl Lumholtz, drew it after being shown ‘a large number of skulls of natives who had been shot by the black police’ several years earlier. Image: State Library of Queensland

References

Reconciliation Australia. (2023). Queensland Truth-Telling and Healing Inquiry work must continue. Retrieved from https://www.reconciliation.org.au/queensland-truth-telling-and-healing-inquiry-work-must-continue/

Markham, F., & Biddle, N. (2018). Indigenous population change in Australia: Absorption, assimilation and growth. Australian National University Press.