Consultations on Queensland’s proposed treaty with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have made steady progress in Cairns, significantly raising the profile of Queensland’s ongoing Path to Treaty work. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Minister Craig Crawford and the newly-appointed Treaty Advancement Committee had consultations in Cairns on Thursday. The committee is charged with developing options and giving independent advice in what the government says is a vital role on its path to a treaty. Crawford has previously said the state is also committed to a “truth-telling and healing” process. The TAC is co-chaired by Bidjara/Birri Gubba Juru woman Jackie Huggins and Ghungalu man Mick Gooda. The other members are Michael Lavarch, Josephine Bourne, and Sallyanne Atkinson. Crawford says having the voices of local communities heard is an important step in the path to the treaty process. “From consultations with Queenslanders right across the state we have seen an …