Daubney Review on State Library priorities and governance released

• A State Library of Queensland (SLQ) initiated review led by the Honourable Martin Daubney AM KC has been released.
• The review made five key recommendations that have been accepted and will be actioned.
• Key recommendations include the review and updating of key policies and the Board’s Charter and Governance frameworks, including consideration of the priorities and expectations of the State.
• The Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan for Queensland's future after a decade of decline under Labor.

The State Library of Queensland (SLQ) will action key recommendations of the Daubney Review to enhance its governance, policies and processes, and to better balance the priorities and expectations of Queenslanders and the Crisafulli Government.

The review was undertaken following the May 2025 direction from Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek to the Library Board of Queensland to not award a fellowship to an author in a state-owned building, given public comments they made that were incompatible with the values of respect, unity and inclusion.

SLQ engaged The Honourable Martin Daubney AM KC to review its governance parameters and decision-making processes as a statutory body, including how these align with community expectations regarding the use of public funds.

The Review made five key recommendations to SLQ including reviewing its risk Management Policies, updating Venue Use Policies and updating the Board’s Charter and Governance Frameworks.

It also sought consideration of whether SLQ should be undertaking competitive awards when these activities are not within its core functions under its enabling legislation or articulated in its current strategic planning.

Minister Langbroek said the Daubney Review had very specific recommendations and a clear determination that the library, as an Arts Statutory Body, represents the State.

“The State Library will action these recommendations and has also made the decision to transition the Queensland Literary Awards to alternative providers,” Minister Langbroek said.

“It is also working with Creative Australia to transition black&write! to an alternative provider.

“More broadly, the Daubney Review has highlighted the need for government-funded arts and cultural organisations to consider their policies and risk management frameworks to ensure they are consistent with and meet the expectations of the Crisafulli Government.

“Creative diversity and robust debate are important, and central to the value of the arts, however, we’ve taken decisive action to make Queensland safer.

“We remain committed to the future of the literary awards and are determined to ensure they go from strength to strength.

“After a decade of decline under Labor, the Crisafulli Government unashamedly holds the position that state-owned buildings will not be a platform for hate speech.

“The suite of reforms that seek to combat antisemitism and address terrorist-motivated offending make it quite clear that no taxpayer-funded arts and cultural institutions, or programs will support hate speech.“

Queensland’s multicultural society is one of our greatest strengths and it must be defended and celebrated. A full copy of the Daubney Review is available at

https://content.slq.qld.gov.au/sites/default/files/Review%20Report.pdf

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Greg Thomson 0447 221 816