Historic agreement charts new partnership between Indigenous Council
Published on 21 October 2025
Historic agreement charts new partnership between Indigenous Council Leaders and the State Government
Queensland’s First Nations council leaders have signed an agreement with the State Government to guarantee local leaders a seat at the policy-making table to secure real outcomes for their communities, delivering on a commitment made by the Premier at the LGAQ Annual Conference last year.
The Queensland Indigenous Council Leaders Accord, which is modelled on the Rural and Remote Councils Compact and an extension of the Equal Partners in Government Agreement both signed earlier this year, guarantees the critical role First Nations councils play in supporting their communities with real, on-the-ground measures to improve the liveability and opportunities for Queensland’s discrete Indigenous communities through a formal partnership between the State and Queensland’s 17 First Nations councils.
The Accord was signed by Local Government Minister Ann Leahy, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Partnerships Minister Fiona Simpson, LGAQ President Matt Burnett and LGAQ Policy Executive members, Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Mayor Wayne Butcher and Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Mayor Alf Lacey.
It was signed in front of Mayors, councillors and CEOs from councils across Queensland, gathered to witness the historic event.
Mayor Wayne Butcher said: “This is an historic agreement with the State Government for us to work together on moving forward, tackling the issues in our communities head on.
“It is about tangible results on the ground for our communities, like housing, key infrastructure, waste water and overcrowding.
“When you look at overcrowding, it affects education, it affects health.
“This Accord gives us a seat at the table with the right people to make the decisions our communities need.”
Mayor Alf Lacey said: “This is a really important step forward not just for us but for the next generation in our communities in that we've now got the opportunity to be seated at the table to raise our issues.
“It’s about liveability and our economic future and prosperity and determining our own future.
“This is a demonstration from the State Government that it has the appetite and the willingness to sit at the table with us and hear directly from the third level of government in the state.”
Minister Ann Leahy said: “The Crisafulli Government works alongside all 77 of the state’s councils and backs every one of them to deliver for Queenslanders.”
“We promised to deliver practical results for Queensland’s Indigenous communities and sign the Accords, and I’m proud to say we’re doing exactly what we said we would.”
Minister Fiona Simpson said: “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leaders in these rural and remote communities are on the front line of some of the most challenging issues, but also with some of the most significant agendas that need to be listened to.
“It is about ensuring that there is an overcoming of the tyranny of distance, but also the barriers of bureaucracy.”
LGAQ President Matt Burnett said: "The Accord built on the strength of the Equal Partners in Government Agreement signed by the State Government and the LGAQ earlier this year."
“Together, through the efforts of our combined First Nations councils we have secured the State Government’s commitment to an historic agreement that ensures those councils have a central role in the prioritisation, design and coordination of government policy affecting their communities,” Mayor Burnett said.
“It recognises that progress on Closing the Gap will only improve when First Nations communities are directly involved in identifying the priorities and the solutions that are applied to the challenge.
“It recognises that our First Nations councils have gathered as the Indigenous Leaders Forum since 2011 and we are still talking about many of the same issues that are a barrier to the socio-economic future and wellbeing of your communities including housing, Blue Cards, alcohol management plans and access to culturally informed health services among so many others.
“First Nations councils – like all other councils – show what local leadership looks like in real life - grounded, united and focused on results and that’s how change happens.
“Signing this agreement is an important milestone of which everyone here should be rightfully proud.
“However, as the ink dries our focus must turn to making sure it delivers, that it drives real outcomes on the issues that matter most to First Nations communities.
“As we look ahead, I feel proud of how far we’ve come and confident about what’s next.
“When we work together, we get results and together, we’ll keep shaping a stronger future for every community across Queensland.”
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