Sunshine Coast Council creates new First Nations tourism policy
A Queensland council has introduced a policy to ensure First Nations cultural experiences remain under the control of Traditional Owners.
Sunshine Coast
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A Queensland council has introduced a new policy to ensure First Nations cultural experiences remain under the control of Traditional Owners, after applying for an exemption under anti-discrimination laws.
At the Sunshine Coast Council’s ordinary meeting on Thursday, April 24, a reviewed commercial activity policy was put to councillors, including a new cultural tourism permit.
The policy will mean that for tourism operators looking to run First Nations cultural experiences on the Sunshine Coast they must be run by or in partnership with Kabi Kabi or Jinibarra peoples to receive a permit from the council.
According to the policy outline the new permit category would grow First Nations tourism in the region.
“The inclusion of the Cultural Tourism permit category aims to grow First Nations cultural tourism on the Sunshine Coast, in line with objections under the Regional Economic Development Strategy and Reconciliation Action Plan,” the policy document stated.
The new policy comes after the council’s appeal to be exempt from anti discrimination laws was dismissed by the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal in December 2021.
According to the QCAT documents provided in the meeting agenda, the exemption was “unnecessary” for the council to seek despite potential discriminatory practices.
“On the face of it, the key aspect of the proposed policy would be prohibited by the AD Act because it discriminates against people who are not Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander,” the QCAT document stated.
However, QCAT member Gerard Sammon ultimately decided the implementation of the policy was not unreasonable.
“In my view, the purpose of the proposed policy is not to discriminate against non-Indigenous people on the ground of race, but instead to introduce a benefit to a group of people by reference to the attribute of race, a group who have undoubtedly been economically disadvantaged in Australia’s history,” Mr Sammon said.
The council’s assessment stated the permit criteria was justified in order to create equity in the commercial policy.
“Any perceivable limitations on human rights are considered justified, due to the need to deliver a more contemporary, community responsive and equitable policy platform for the future,” the assessment stated.
The policy review was ultimately passed by the council.
The Sunshine Coast Council was contacted for further comment by this publication.
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