The fall out of the Queensland government's decision to cancel the state's truth-telling inquiry continues, with Victoria's own truth-telling body labelling the decision "devastating".
New Premier David Crisafulli's claim that the decision to cancel the process would be done with "respect and decency" was undermined by the revelation from Inquiry chair Joshua Creamer that he had learned of the decision via the media.
The granddaughters of Eddie and Bonita Mabo said the decision was a "deliberate enforcement of assimilation policies," which ignored the "critical need" to correct the historical record.
They said the LNP's decision was denying Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people "the basic dignity of having our histories and experiences acknowledged".
"The government must be held accountable and face the truth of past injustices and the impacts of the racist policies, systems, and institutions our people are still living with every day," Maria Mabo said on social media.
Over the weekend, the first truth-telling body in the country, the Yoorrook Justice Commission Chair, Professor Eleanor Bourke, said the decision is "devastating" to many Indigenous people across Queensland.
"Our hearts go out to Queensland First Peoples who we know will be feeling grief and despair right now," Professor Bourke said.
The Yoorrook hearings have seen multiple Victorian ministers and heads of departments questioned over the historical wrongs perpetrated on First Peoples in Victoria since the beginning of colonisation.
During an appearance in April, where she became the first government leader to appear in front of an Indigenous truth-telling commission in Australia, Premier Jacinta Allan said she was prepared to apologise to First Nations people for the injustices suffered due to government policies.
Furthermore, Yoorrook says a "real" history of Victoria is being documented, with members of the community - including many Stolen Generations survivors - able to share their experiences.
Commissioner Sue-Anne Hunter said truth-telling had been a powerful force for positive change in Victoria.
"Through truth-telling, First Peoples' stories illuminate paths toward healing, understanding, and a stronger shared future," she said.
"The Yoorrook Justice Commission's work in Victoria shows that when we create respectful spaces for truth-telling, we build bridges of understanding that benefit the entire community."
Last week, Premier Crisafulli said he didn't want more "division" in the community.
Commissioner Hunter rejected this framing, arguing truth-telling was about healing and unity, labelling it the "foundation of genuine healing and reconciliation" as it results in more of a "complete and honest narrative of our shared past and present".
Fellow Commissioner Travis Lovett said as a "proud Kerrupmara Gunditjmara man," he stood in solidarity with First Nations people and the truth-telling inquiry.
"Stopping divisive behaviour begins with empathy, putting an end to the proliferation of false information and by listening actively and seeking to understand everyone's perspectives," Commissioner Lovett said.
"Truth telling nurtures relationships, promotes transparency and accountability, encourages ethical behaviour, and supports healing. Truth telling is the core of everyone's existence."
He called for the inquiry to be reinstated, to "build a more equitable society" which ensures lessons from the past are able to "shape a better and more prosperous future".
The Victorian Liberal opposition withdrew their support for truth-telling and Treaty earlier this year - also without first alerting any member of the Victorian Aboriginal community.
Professor Bourke said decisions to cancel truth-telling are arbitrary compared to the bigger picture.
"Ultimately the truth will prevail," she said.
"Governments come and go, but they can't cancel history. Trying to put a lid on the truth can never suppress it."
