Queensland Government moves to modernise recordkeeping legislation, embed cultural integrity into First Nations public records

• The Public Records Bill 2023 passed by Parliament will modernise Queensland’s recordkeeping legislation.
• The new bill includes the establishment of a First Nations Advisory Group to enshrine Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander decision-making into the management of public records.
• The Queensland State Archives (QSA) holds more than 3.5 million records that tell many stories of the state’s history, spanning 200 years.
• So far, the QSA has digitised more than 18 000 records that relate to First Nations people and their communities.

Queensland will establish a First Nations advisory group to provide advice about public records relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people under sweeping reforms to recordkeeping legislation passed by the Palaszczuk Government.

Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Queensland have had every aspect of their lives documented by government, often without their knowledge or permission.

The Public Records Bill 2023 will modernise recordkeeping legislation to increase transparency and strengthen accountability for around 500 public authorities across Queensland.

It will also look to embed First Nations perspectives into the Queensland State Archives by establishing a First Nations Advisory Group and recognise the importance of public records for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, replacing the current act which is silent on the interests and perspectives of First Nations people.

Quotes attributable to Minister Leeanne Enoch:

“The Queensland State Archives offers a window into our recent history, giving us an understanding of how Queensland has evolved over time. However, this collection provides a colonial perspective.

“The nature, volume and content of public records relating to First Nations people and their knowledge is different to that of other Queenslanders – they may contain content that is sensitive, inaccurate or offensive and may have been used in the past in a way that disrupted Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural practices and communities.

“The establishment of a First Nations Advisory Group will enshrine Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander decision-making into the management of public records and is a first step towards recognising First Nations data sovereignty within Queensland.”

“The Advisory Group will provide advice to the State Archivist on how to manage and access public records in a way that supports the goals of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in matters of truth-telling, and impacts on culture, communities and families.”

Dr Rose Barrowcliffe, First Nations Archives Advisor

“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have long been the subject of the archive but have rarely had a voice in the decisions that affect us and our records.

“We have been able to make significant changes that have supported the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples when we have been involved.

“The Public Records Bill 2023 takes us in that direction by requiring the formation of a First Nations advisory group and creating dedicated seats on the Public Records Review Committee for an Aboriginal and a Torres Strait Islander person.

Mr Mick Gooda, co-chair of the Interim Truth and Treaty Body

“The Public Records Bill 2023 is a key enabler of truth-telling, with the integrity and accuracy of government records critical to informing and enabling meaningful change for the lives of First Nations people.

“Understanding that to date this history is not complete and has been told from a predominately non-Indigenous colonial worldview.

“Through the inclusion of guiding principles, the Bill recognises the importance of public records to the full documentation and preservation of the history of Queensland.

Explainer/fast facts and/or further information:

For more information about the Public Records Act 2002 review, including the full list of recommendations and the Queensland Government’s response, visit: yoursay.dsdsatsip.qld.gov.au/public-records-act-review

ENDS

Media contact – Tim Auguston 0427 090 563