25 October 2024
The Truth-telling and Healing Inquiry has released its first report – The story of Queensland connects us all.
The report highlights some of its key achievements since starting on 1 July 2024. It also shares information about the hearings and sessions already held and how the Inquiry plans to engage Queenslanders in its next steps.
The report also includes a roadmap of the Inquiry’s activities during its 3-year term, as it works across Queensland to discover the continuing story of how we all created Queensland.
In launching the report, Inquiry Chairperson Joshua Creamer, a Waanyi and Kalkadoon barrister, said the Inquiry has a role to strengthen the relationship between non-Indigenous people and Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples, to foster reconciliation and a deeper respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, history and experiences that transcend generations.
“The Inquiry is about unity and contributing to a reconciled Queensland, based upon a shared understanding of a full and complete history of Queensland,” he said.
How the Inquiry will gather evidence during its term
Mr Creamer said that every one of us is a part of Queensland’s story.
“We remain focused on gathering evidence from those with lived experience, with the Inquiry team preparing for truth-telling sessions across the state," he said.
Mr Creamer also advised that the Inquiry has launched its online submission portal, and invites Queenslanders to make submissions to the Inquiry – you can learn more here.
The Inquiry has set out its key dates for truth-telling sessions and hearings in communities across Queensland. These are:
November to December 2024 – South-east region
February 2025 to April 2025 – North and central Queensland regions
May 2025 to August 2025 – Cairns, Cape York, Torres Strait regions
September 2025 to October 2025 – Gulf of Carpentaria region
July 2026 to October 2026 – South-west region