Waanyi, Teppathiggi, and Tjungundji man Jack Wilkie-Jans has condemned the Queensland government's repeal of the Path to Treaty Act 2023, calling it a breach of democratic process and a failure to address long-standing injustices faced by First Nations peoples.

The artist, writer and advocate criticised the manner in which the legislation was repealed, noting it was inserted into the Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games Arrangements and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 and passed without consultation.

"The repeal of Truth-Telling and Treaty's Path to Treaty Act was untitled and slipped in the back of the Olympic legislation," he said.

"It was passed at midnight and without consultation by Committee, indicating just how David Crisafulli must view Parliament and its conventions."

The government stated that funding initially allocated to the Truth-Telling and Treaty Institute would be redirected to "funding boosts" for First Nations communities.

However, Mr Wilkie-Jans expressed concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding these plans.

"The Media Release claims that funding will be re-dispersed as funding boosts, but it fails to outline what this funding boost is, what the parameters for success will be, and which bodies will receive it," he said.

Mr Wilkie-Jans warned that non-transparent funding could embolden allegedly corrupt or failing organisations.

"Auditing these bodies is where the Crisafulli government should be looking to foster better and more egalitarian systems for First Nations peoples," he said.

He emphasised that a Truth-Telling process would have been vital in exposing not only the atrocities committed against First Nations peoples but also systemic issues like the misuse of Native Title.

"A Truth-Telling process would have unearthed not only hundreds of years of violence and terror but also the myriad of problems within constructs such as Native Title," he said.

Mr Wilkie-Jans rejected suggestions Treaty would lead to radical change, citing misconceptions about it replacing existing systems with a new, exclusive framework.

"Even we didn't know what 'Treaty' would look like under the Institute, in spite of having a number of lesser-known Treaties already in place," he said.

However, he said the Path to Treaty Institute had struggled to outline its functionality and articulate a clear way forward.

He also criticised the government for bypassing Parliamentary Committee review of the repeal, describing it as a "major breach of democratic process".

He suggested Queensland, which has only one house of state parliament, might need a state Senate to ensure proper oversight.

"This now begs the question of whether Queensland should seek to further bloat our Parliamentary services by re-establishing a state Senate as a House of Review."

Reflecting on his personal connection to these issues, Mr Wilkie-Jans shared the story of his people's forced removal from Mapoon in 1963 under the Nicklin Government.

"In the dead of night, at gunpoint, we were loaded onto barges while the loathsome Pat Killoran watched on as the Police set fire to our homes," he said.

"We have never received a formal Parliamentary Apology for that atrocity."

He argued that such events highlight the importance of open and honest discussions about Queensland's history and the systems that perpetuate injustice.

"Does this and more (and worse) not deserve to be discussed openly and honestly?" he asked.

Mr Wilkie-Jans concluded by calling for greater transparency and accountability, urging the government to prioritise meaningful engagement with First Nations communities.