No back-tracking now: Minister denies government hedging its bets on Treaty
Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey says the government remains committed to the establishment of a Queensland Treaty/ (AAP Image/Darren England)
State Minister Mark Bailey says “nothing has changed”, with the Queensland government 100 per cent committed to the historic legislation despite an opposition backflip.
There was uncertainty over the future of the landmark path to treaty in Queensland after premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Thursday said it would require bipartisan support.
Just hours earlier Liberal National Party leader David Crisafulli had withdrawn his backing following the failed Indigenous voice referendum.
A snap Queensland Labor caucus meeting was held late on Thursday following the premier’s comments.
However Transport Minister Mr Bailey on Friday said the state government was forging ahead.
Asked if the state government was pulling back from the treaty process, Mr Bailey said: “Not at all, 100 per cent committed to it.
“Nothing has changed whatsoever.
“We are the only Commonwealth country that doesn’t have a…treaty with our First Nations people – this is about having a better relationship and closing the gap.”
Mr Bailey blamed misreporting for any uncertainty created over the path to treaty’s future in Queensland.
“We have always said from the beginning that the treaty process…that we would seek bipartisan support,” he said.
“She (premier) was simply stating something that has been known for a long time.
However Mr Crisafulli on Friday said the state government needed to clarify its position, and took a shot at Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
“Our position is very clear and we believe that is the clearest way to make sure that Queenslanders know that we’ve listened and we’re keen to unite,” he told reporters.
“I think the Prime Minister was, dare I say, very pig-headed in not listening to the warning bells ringing and I’m not going to repeat that.
“I’m not sure what the (state) government’s position (is). It would be great if they could clear that up.”
Mr Crisafulli backflipped following the failed voice referendum, with almost 70 per cent of Queensland voters opposing the constitutional change – the highest of any state or territory.
In May he’d voted to support a path to treaty set to examine Queensland’s colonial past through a truth-telling inquiry and First Nations Treaty Institute.
“We have seen David Crisafulli walk away from his principles on treaty,” Mr Bailey said.
“He himself five months ago voted for treaty, said it was a matter of principle for him.
“And then the first time the wind changed, collapsed like a pack of cards and sold out – that’s not the sort of lily-livered leadership Queensland needs.”
State Minister Mark Bailey says “nothing has changed”, with the Queensland government 100 per cent committed to the historic legislation despite an opposition backflip.
There was uncertainty over the future of the landmark path to treaty in Queensland after premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Thursday said it would require bipartisan support.
Just hours earlier Liberal National Party leader David Crisafulli had withdrawn his backing following the failed Indigenous voice referendum.
A snap Queensland Labor caucus meeting was held late on Thursday following the premier’s comments.
However Transport Minister Mr Bailey on Friday said the state government was forging ahead.
Asked if the state government was pulling back from the treaty process, Mr Bailey said: “Not at all, 100 per cent committed to it.
“Nothing has changed whatsoever.
“We are the only Commonwealth country that doesn’t have a…treaty with our First Nations people – this is about having a better relationship and closing the gap.”
Mr Bailey blamed misreporting for any uncertainty created over the path to treaty’s future in Queensland.
“We have always said from the beginning that the treaty process…that we would seek bipartisan support,” he said.
“She (premier) was simply stating something that has been known for a long time.
However Mr Crisafulli on Friday said the state government needed to clarify its position, and took a shot at Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
“Our position is very clear and we believe that is the clearest way to make sure that Queenslanders know that we’ve listened and we’re keen to unite,” he told reporters.
“I think the Prime Minister was, dare I say, very pig-headed in not listening to the warning bells ringing and I’m not going to repeat that.
“I’m not sure what the (state) government’s position (is). It would be great if they could clear that up.”
Mr Crisafulli backflipped following the failed voice referendum, with almost 70 per cent of Queensland voters opposing the constitutional change – the highest of any state or territory.
In May he’d voted to support a path to treaty set to examine Queensland’s colonial past through a truth-telling inquiry and First Nations Treaty Institute.
“We have seen David Crisafulli walk away from his principles on treaty,” Mr Bailey said.
“He himself five months ago voted for treaty, said it was a matter of principle for him.
“And then the first time the wind changed, collapsed like a pack of cards and sold out – that’s not the sort of lily-livered leadership Queensland needs.”
