A prominent Aboriginal historian and author who helped chair a committee about progressing Queensland's path to treaty says she is "frustrated" by government delays in releasing its final report.
Jackie Huggins, the former co-chair of the state's treaty advancement committee, told the ABC she was "perplexed" why the Palaszczuk government had still not released the committee's report — and the government's response — more than seven months after receiving it.
"I'm feeling very frustrated with the government because of the delay," Dr Huggins said, in an interview during National Reconciliation Week.
"We would have thought this would have been a priority … we realise there's been COVID and the Olympics to deal with, but there's also the matter of truth and justice and treaty and healing for our people.
"I am just perplexed around why it's been stalled."
The Queensland government began a conversation about a path towards a treaty between the state and First Nations peoples in 2019 — following similar moves in Victoria and the Northern Territory.
In February last year, the treaty advancement committee was appointed to "continue the momentum of the process, develop options and provide independent advice on how to progress treaty-making for all Queenslanders".
Dr Huggins and former Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander social justice commissioner of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Mick Gooda, were named as co-chairs.
Response postponed amid calls for government to 'show good faith'
The committee's report was handed to the government in October and Dr Huggins said she was told it would be launched in June, but she was advised a few weeks ago it was being postponed.
"I haven't heard officially when the next launch date will be," she said.
"It was supposed to be around the availability of the Premier, but I do understand it may be in August now.
"I'm feeling very frustrated at the moment because I think when somebody applies a date you get all excited and want to do that date.
"I know it just takes so long in their system to implement. And really, a lot of this is probably why we don't see the best statistics that we could be seeing in terms of Close The Gap, incarceration, and child protection to name a few.
"I'd hope that now the Queensland government shows good faith and is able to forward the process of treaty or treaties in our state."
Fears 'long overdue' path to treaty could lose momentum
Dr Huggins said the Queensland government had been "very generous" in establishing a $300 million Path to Treaty Fund last year and she "didn't want to lose the momentum of the times".
"The spotlight has been turned onto the federal government but we've had a very approachable Queensland government now that we need to put the next stick into gear because there is nothing stopping us," she said.
"We're saying to the Queensland government: please help us and please expedite the treaty.
"Our people have been patient for so long and we need to get on with the business.
When questioned about the treaty report delay on Wednesday, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said there would be an announcement soon.
"The invitations are about to go out, we've been planning this for several months," she said.
"We wanted to get it exactly right.
"I know that the minister has been working on this and we have a date – and everyone will be hearing a lot more about that very shortly.
"We have to get it right … and are looking forward to the announcement."
