Queensland Liberals ditch support for treaty

The failed voice referendum has some states rethinking their path towards making treaties. Photo: Getty
As political leaders grapple with the failed Indigenous voice referendum, the Queensland Premier concedes the path to treaty is a long way off.
The NSW Coalition has also weighed in, with Upper House MPs supporting a motion to rule out a state-based voice.
Queensland vowed to push ahead with its own plans after the national referendum was defeated.
But Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said a path to treaty would require bipartisan support after Liberal National Party leader David Crisafulli walked back on his commitment.
A snap Queensland Labor caucus meeting was being held on Thursday night over the path to treaty, following the Premier’s comments.
Crisafulli said he would no longer support a path to treaty after “one of the most divisive debates in my life”.
With votes still being counted, 69 per cent of Queensland voters opposed the constitutional change – the highest of any state or territory.
Crisafulli’s call comes after a vote in May to support a path to treaty that was set to examine Queensland’s colonial past through a truth-telling inquiry and First Nations Treaty Institute.
“When the LNP originally agreed to enabling legislation for the path to treaty we did so in good faith as a genuine effort to promote better outcomes for Indigenous Australians,” Crisafulli said.
“In the days since the referendum as I have travelled throughout the state it has become clear to me the path to treaty will only create further division.”
Palaszczuk said a Queensland treaty was a long way off.
“That would require bipartisan support,” the Premier said.
“The next stage is truth telling. That’s a three-to-four-year process.
“For effective reconciliation and path to treaty, that would require bipartisan support.”