Queensland LNP Restricts Use of Indigenous Acknowledgements in Staff Emails, Future Ban Unclear

Queensland has issued new directives limiting—and potentially axing—the use of Indigenous ‘Acknowledgement to Country’ in official e-mails.

Local children play stick ball on a street in Aurukun, far North Queensland, Cape York, on July 19, 2022. AAP Image/Jono Searle

The Queensland government has issued new directives limiting—and potentially axing—the use of Indigenous “Acknowledgement to Country” and artworks in official email signatures.

The directive from the Liberal National Party (LNP) to government staff was tabled by Labor’s shadow spokesperson for Aboriginal affairs, Leanne Enoch, in state parliament on June 26.

“Did the minister or the government consult with First Nations communities before this directive was issued?” Enoch asked.

The directive outlines new instructions regarding official staff signatures.

“We will be issuing new email signature templates for each service during the week starting June 23,” the documents say (pdf), hinting at further changes to email messaging standards.

“There is a strict directive to follow the template in full.

“Departments are no longer permitted to add additional departmental branding elements such as the First Nations Acknowledgement with our ‘Together’ artwork.”

“Together” artwork was commissioned by the previous Labor government aimed at promoting Indigenous culture, and featured customised designs for each department.

While the Acknowledgement is a written message that honours historical land claims from Aboriginal clans.

Tabled documents featuring a new directive from the LNP government towards staff regarding email signatures, and new restrictions on the Indigenous Acknowledgement to Country. Screenshot of tabled documents/The Epoch Times

Minister Says LNP Focused on Solutions Over Virtue Signalling

Fiona Simpson, current LNP aboriginal minister, responded saying the previous minister Enoch had focused too much on virtue signalling.

“I cannot find anything in the Hansard [government records] where my opposite number even mentioned clean drinking water in our most rural and remote communities,” Simpson said (pdf).

“So, what are they worried about? Email signatures and branding,” she added.

“When we have a real gap in opportunity and disadvantage in this state, they want to talk about branding.”

Simpson said the LNP was dealing with issues like providing homes to Indigenous families in the remote Palm Island, lack of safe drinking water, as well as overcrowding with one case seeing 14 people crowded into a single house.

The Epoch Times contacted Enoch’s office and the premier’s office for comment.