Prominent Indigenous barrister Joshua Creamer has accused the Queensland LNP government of implementing an “organised strategy” to remove First Nations voices and initiatives from the public sector. Public servants have reportedly nicknamed this alleged effort “project invisibility,” citing a series of personnel changes and policy reversals since the government took office.
Did You Know?
The term “project invisibility” was reportedly used by a person within government to describe the systematic removal or reduction of Indigenous affairs, initiatives, and voices from state-level policy-making and boards.
Creamer, who was dismissed as the head of the state’s truth-telling and healing inquiry during the government’s first general sitting day of parliament, highlighted several personnel shifts. These include the removal of artist Bianca Beetson and musician David Williams from cultural organization boards, and the removal of barrister Avelina Tarrago from the Legal Aid Board. Additionally, the government appointed Darren Robinson, a former detective previously criticized for his role in the 2004 investigation into an Aboriginal death in custody on Palm Island, to a board position.
Policy Shifts and Program Defunding
Beyond personnel changes, the government has faced criticism for a range of policy decisions impacting First Nations communities. These actions include the defunding of programs such as Murri Watch and a legislative move to exempt Olympics venues from cultural heritage laws. The government also overturned a decision to name a new state theatre after Indigenous poet Oodgeroo Noonuccal and has proposed stripping First Nations names from several state electorates.
Natalie Lewis, a Gamilaraay woman who served for six years as a commissioner on the Queensland Family and Child Commission, was not reappointed to her role. Lewis stated she had requested an extension from Attorney General Deb Frecklington to ensure an Aboriginal voice remained present during the government’s response to a commission of inquiry. With approximately half of the children in out-of-home care in Queensland being Indigenous, Lewis described the current trend as an “abandonment of spaces” where Indigenous representation was previously standard.
Government Response and Implications
Attorney General Deb Frecklington defended the decision regarding Lewis, stating that her term had concluded and she was simply not reappointed. A spokesperson for the Crisafulli government emphasized that its approach involves “redirecting funds into practical, locally led projects” through the Closing the Gap Priorities Fund, pointing to investments in housing, clean drinking water for Woorabinda, and the Buwu education program in Cherbourg.
Expert Insight:
The tension between the government’s stated focus on “practical, locally led outcomes” and the concerns raised by leaders like Creamer and Lewis highlights a significant shift in the state’s administrative philosophy. The removal of specific advisory voices, combined with the reversal of long-standing cultural naming conventions, suggests a move toward a more centralized, mainstream-focused approach. Whether this redirection yields the promised tangible outcomes for discrete communities or further alienates First Nations stakeholders remains the central point of contention in Queensland’s current political landscape.
Looking ahead, the government’s continued response to the report by lawyer Paul Anastassiou—which suggests ending the principle that adoption is a last resort for Indigenous children—may serve as a further indicator of its policy trajectory. Analysts expect that ongoing questions regarding representation in the Education and Health departments will remain a focal point for Indigenous community leaders and opposition figures like Labor shadow minister Leeanne Enoch, who has publicly characterized the government’s actions as a deliberate effort to make First Nation voices less visible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is “project invisibility”?
According to Joshua Creamer, it is a term used by a government source to describe an alleged organized strategy to eliminate or reduce Indigenous affairs, initiatives, and voices within the Queensland government.
Why was Natalie Lewis not reappointed to the Queensland Family and Child Commission?
Attorney General Deb Frecklington stated that Lewis’s term had expired and she was not reappointed, adding that she had been reassured by the commission that the work Lewis was undertaking would continue.
What specific legislative or policy changes have been cited by critics?
Critics point to the defunding of Murri Watch, the exemption of Olympics venues from cultural heritage law, the reversal of a theatre naming decision, and an attempted policy to contest all new native title claims as evidence of the government’s shift in priorities.
How will these changes affect the long-term relationship between the Queensland government and First Nations communities?
