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Alarm over decision to exclude Queensland police from Indigenous truth-telling inquiry

  • 27. Mar 2023. 9:16
  • By The EU Times
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A decision by the federal government to exclude Queensland police from an Indigenous truth-telling inquiry has sparked alarm among Indigenous leaders and human rights advocates.

The inquiry, which was announced in February, will examine the history of colonisation and its impact on Indigenous Australians. It is part of the government's response to the Uluru Statement from the Heart, which calls for a constitutionally enshrined Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

However, the inquiry will not include any investigation into the actions of Queensland police, who have been involved in a number of high-profile cases involving Indigenous people.

The decision has been met with criticism from Indigenous leaders and human rights advocates, who say that not including police in the inquiry undermines the process and ignores the experiences of Indigenous people.

Queensland's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (ATSILS) has called on the government to reverse its decision, saying it will deny Indigenous people the opportunity to have their stories heard.

“The truth-telling process needs to be comprehensive and to include all aspects of colonisation, including the role of Queensland police,” said ATSILS CEO Shane Duffy.

“We cannot have a thorough and meaningful process if one of the key players is excluded from the inquiry. We need to ensure that all voices are heard and that all experiences are taken into account.”

The inquiry is due to start later this year, and the lack of police involvement is likely to be a major issue for Indigenous leaders and human rights advocates.

It is hoped that the government will reconsider its decision and that police will be included in the inquiry. Until then, Indigenous people will continue to be denied the opportunity to have their stories heard.