Treaty talks underway in Queensland, but traditional owners say key voices are missing

Don Rowlands says he would have liked to attend the Longreach forum, but was not invited. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Bruce Atkinson)

After years of fighting for landmark legislation that would pave the way for continued reconciliation between First Nations people and the state of Queensland, traditional owners say a crucial step in the process is leaving out key voices.

The government's Community Support and Services Committee (CSSC) has held public forums in nine regional Queensland locations this month to gather feedback on the government's historic Path to Treaty Bill.

But the low attendance has left some community members baffled, with many saying they were not aware the meetings were on, and elders have questioned the government's genuine commitment to Treaty.

Nearest forum 700km away

Iningai Traditional Custodian Tony Weldon opened the Longreach forum with a Welcome to Country.

He said it was concerning only 18 people attended.

Mr Weldon says he does not feel very confident about the process Path to Treaty is on. (ABC Western Qld: Carli Willis)

"It is gonna miss a lot of feedback from local Indigenous people, there's a lot of people missing," Mr Weldon said.

Respected Wangkangurru and Yarluyandi Elder Don Rowlands said he would have liked to attend the Longreach forum, but was not invited.

It was his nearest session but 700 kilometres from his home at Birdsville, on the edge of the Munga-Thirri Simpson Desert in outback Queensland.

"I would have loved to have been there to just listen and hear what other groups are saying," Mr Rowlands said.

"If this is working towards some better future, then I'd like to be involved [and they] should have invited all the people on the edge of the desert.

"I think it's pretty poor."

Don Rowlands is a traditional owner from Wangkangurru Yarluyandi Country on the edge of the Simpson Desert. (ABC Western Qld: Carli Willis)

The CSSC parliamentary forum has visited Cairns, Weipa, Thursday Island, Palm Island, Townsville, Longreach, Woorabinda and Rockhampton, and a 10th session will be held at Inala in Brisbane on April 17.

Mr Rowlands suggested the government use technology to allow more people to be involved.

"Zoom works out here ... we could be on Zoom if everything else fails," he said.

The state government said it notified the community about the forum via a media release and said those who could not attend a forum should contact the committee directly about their concerns.

Ms McMillan says the government is committed to Treaty. (ABC Western Qld: Carli Willis)

The CSSC chair, Labor MP Corrine McMillan, acknowledged people's struggle to travel to the forums, especially as many communities have been isolated due to widespread flooding.

"We understand that there has been some devastation across parts of northern Queensland and certainly our thoughts are with each and every one of our community members in that situation," she said.

She said there would be an opportunity for those who missed out to contribute to the conversation.

"Members of the community that are wishing to make a contribution can do so via the Queensland parliament website Path to Treaty," she said.

"If there is a First Nations group that would like to be consulted personally, [they] certainly can make contact with me and I will do everything I can to ensure that their voice is heard."

Fifteen community members attended a forum held in Rockhampton. (ABC Capricornia: Erin Semmler)

Long journey to treaty and truth

All Australian states except New South Wales have made progress toward a treaty, but the NSW Labor leader Chris Minns promised $5 million earlier this year toward treaty consultations if the party won this month's election.

At the 2021 census, 237,000 people in Queensland identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander — more than a quarter of Australia's total First Nations population.

The Path to Treaty has three parts: the establishment of a First Nations Treaty Institute; a council to govern the institute; and holding a truth-telling and healing inquiry.

An independent group — the Interim Truth and Treaty Body (ITTB) — has been tasked with designing how the institute and inquiry will work, and is hosting its own public consultation forums.

Fifteen people attended their recent meeting in Rockhampton, a major regional centre of 80,000 people around 650 kilometres north of Brisbane.

Gangulu and Iman woman Rosemary Hoffman-Toby, found out about the ITTB meeting the night before.

Gangulu and Iman woman Rosemary Hoffman-Toby wants more young people involved in the treaty process. (ABC Capricornia: Erin Semmler)

"If we establish this treaty, it's there for the future of our children and our grandkids and our great-grannies so we need to get this right — straight up," she said.

So far, the ITTB has visited Cairns, Weipa, Thursday Island, Palm Island, Townsville, Woorabinda and Rockhampton.

It will visit Mount Isa on Friday, Roma on April 4, Cunnamulla on April 5 and Charleville on April 6.

In a statement, the Interim Truth and Treaty Body said it contacted some organisations directly ahead of the forums, but largely used email and social media to share details of the event.

One of the 10 board members, Aaron Fa'Aoso, said it was important the treaty-making process was community-led.

Mr Fa'Aoso says many communities are frustrated over the lack of consultation. (ABC Capricornia: Erin Semmler)

"There's a lot of scepticism because of broken promises, previous legislations, policies, acts," Mr Fa'Aso said.

"We're charged with giving that information and taking our people in communities on this treaty-making journey which will not be without its challenges and it's something that we are very aware of as well."