by CRYSTAL-ROSE JONES – 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 to government staff was tabled by Labor’s shadow spokesperson for Aboriginal affairs, Leanne Enoch, in State parliament on June 26.
- Current LNP Aboriginal minister Fiona Simpson said the previous ALP minister had focused too much on virtue signalling.
- When there is a real gap in Aboriginal opportunity, Labor want to talk about branding.
“Did the minister or the government consult with First Nations communities before this directive was issued?” Ms Enoch asked.
The directive outlines new instructions regarding official staff signatures.
HINTING
“We will be issuing new email signature templates for each service during the week starting June 23,” the documents say, 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.
Current LNP Aboriginal Minister Fiona Simpson responded saying the previous ALP minister had focused too much on virtue signalling.
“I cannot find anything in Hansard where my opposite number even mentioned clean drinking water in our most rural and remote communities,” she said.
“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.PC
