‘Disgrace’: LNP defends decision to cut First Nations cultural centres in Qld, fires broadside at Labor

The LNP has refused to release an abandoned business case to build two First Nations cultural centres in Queensland, with the Indigenous affairs minister attacking Labor for failing to close the gap and deliver critical services to remote communities.

First Nations cultural centres will not be built in Cairns and Brisbane under the LNP. Picture: NewsWire / Damian Shaw

The LNP has refused to release an abandoned business case to build two First Nations cultural centres in Queensland, with the Indigenous affairs minister attacking Labor for failing to close the gap and deliver critical resources in remote communities.

Arts minister John-Paul Langbroek announced the estimated $300m project had been “unfunded” this week which would have seen centres built in Cairns and Brisbane celebrating the art, customs and history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Asked if the $3m study into the proposalwould be released, an LNP spokeswoman said the document was “cabinet in confidence”.

Minister Fiona Simpson says more money must be invested in remote communities in order to close the gap across the state. Picture: Liam Kidston

Indigenous Affairs Minister Fiona Simpson further defended the decision at Parliament House on Friday, arguing that more work needed to be done to improve living standards in impoverished communities across the state, instead.

“Woorabinda ... doesn’t have clean drinking water and Labor did not fund that,” Ms Simpson said.

“We’re making sure that we’re putting funding into frontline services ... why on earth Woorabinda doesn’t is a disgrace.

“People have a right to turn on their taps and not have to put up with boiled water alerts, which is what’s been happening in this stage.”

Shadow minister for closing the gap, Leeanne Enoch, has criticised the LNP’s decision to cut the project. Picture: Steve Pohlner

The minister said the government would focus on delivering services within indigenous communities, including Aurukun, and Kowanyama in western Cape York.

But the decision to scrap years of consultation and planning was a waste, shadow minister for closing the gap, Leeanne Enoch said, with the centres expected to be a key driver for the state’s $31bn tourism industry ahead of the 2032 Games.

“This is a disappointing decision in the middle of NAIDOC week from a tone-deaf Arts Minister whose government seems incapable of showing any of the decency and respect the premier once promised First Nations people,” the proud Quandamooka woman said.

“First Nations peoples as well as the tourism and arts sectors have long called for standalone cultural centres that are more than simply collecting institutions.

“It sends a clear message that celebrating and investing in the full breadth of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures is not a priority for this government.”

A young indigenous boy rides his bike in Aurukun, a small indigenous town located in western Cape York, 800km north northwest of Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

New opportunities for Indigenous tourism experiences would emerge from the LNP’s Destination 2045 plan, assistant tourism minister, Bree James said.

“First Nations businesses are actively engaged in these initiatives, helping share their deep cultural knowledge and history with visitors from around the world,” Ms James said.

“The Crisafulli Government is committed to achieving real economic, cultural, and social outcomes for Indigenous Queenslanders — not just through announcements, but through partnerships, jobs, and long-term investment that honour culture and deliver tangible results.”

Ms Simpson said the cabinet had met with leaders from Indigenous councils at a meeting in Cairns in March, with an accord to be signed soon.

“We’re giving a commitment that we will meet with them, with the cabinet to ensure that they are able to actually meet the ministers who have responsibility for the priorities that they care about,” she said.

Originally published as ‘Disgrace’: LNP defends decision to cut First Nations cultural centres in Qld, fires broadside at Labor