Palaszczuk Government launches plan to advance reconciliation in journey towards Voice, Treaty and Truth

• The Palaszczuk Government has launched the Queensland Government’s Reconciliation Action Plan 2023-2025, which outlines actions in four key areas – relationships, respect, opportunities, and accountability – actions to advance reconciliation.
• Launched during National Reconciliation Week, the plan strengthens the Queensland Government’s commitment to advancing reconciliation in genuine partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The Palaszczuk Government will strengthen a commitment to achieving meaningful, measurable outcomes that increase social and economic equity and support self-determination under a bold new plan to advance reconciliation in Queensland.

The Reconciliation Action Plan 2023-2025 (RAP) outlines the steps all government agencies will take over the next two years to advance equity through a reframed relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Central to the plan is a commitment to co-design policies, programs and initiatives; create a culturally capable public sector; increase First Nations staff and representation on boards and major governance structures; and harness funding to deliver outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Launched during National Reconciliation Week 2023 (27 May to 3 June), the RAP contains 24 actions across four key areas: relationships, respect, opportunities, and accountability and governance.

These actions include supporting efforts to preserve, revive and promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages; increasing spend with First Nations-owned businesses; and growing the number of First Nations employees in leadership roles.

Many of the reconciliation measures are already underway, including progressing the Path to Treaty; Local Thriving Communities, focused on local decision-making and service delivery; and First Nations Voice options.

The Queensland Government will monitor and regularly report on progress against each of the actions. For more information, visit qld.gov.au/RAP or email RAP@dsdsatsip.qld.gov.au.

Quotes attributable to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk:

“Each generation is called upon to make its mark – a true reconciliation with First Nations peoples is ours.

“All Queensland Government agencies must acknowledge the impacts of past and current policies and take action to address this and improve their cultural capability.

“The Reconciliation Action Plan in partnership with Treaty, Truth and Voice is our moment to be the change, and a voice for generations to come.”

Quotes attributable to Minister Leeanne Enoch:

“I’m proud to introduce the Queensland Government’s Reconciliation Action Plan 2023-2025 during National Reconciliation Week.

“This new Reconciliation Action Plan strengthens our commitment to achieving meaningful, measurable outcomes that increase social and economic equity and support self-determination.

“Our goal as a government is to work in genuine partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to place them in a position to speak truth to the policies programs and services that impact them.  

“Queensland has a shared history – one that hasn’t always been talked about truthfully.

“I encourage all Queenslanders to be a voice for reconciliation in their everyday lives, so we can come together as a reconciled Queensland and share in thousands of generations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages, cultures, stories and custodianship.

Quotes attributable to Palaszczuk Government Assistant Minister and Member for Bundamba Lance McCallum:

“We are taking action to reframe the relationship with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Queenslanders through reconciliation.

“In Queensland we’ve made great strides forward for reconciliation in Queensland that includes the Palaszczuk Government’s landmark Treaty law.

“We will continue to walk the path together towards Voice, Treaty and Truth under the Reconciliation Action Plan 2023-2025.”

Quotes attributable to Reconciliation Australia Chief Executive Officer Karen Mundine

“The Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is a vital driver for meaningful social change through strong relationships and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

“These commitments tell the story of the Queensland Government’s aspirational, ambitious and brave vision for a reframed relationship between the state and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, in order to create positive, systemic and substantive change for First Nations Queenslanders.

“On behalf of Reconciliation Australia, I commend the Queensland Government on this RAP and look forward to following Queensland’s progress on its reconciliation journey.”

ENDS

Media contact: Martin Phillip (Minister Enoch's Office) - 0407 675 008