South Bank scraps Indigenous makeover for Brisbane sign
Documents obtained by the ABC show an approved, fully budgeted Indigenous festival makeover of the Brisbane sign was cancelled after a board change.
An approved and fully budgeted Indigenous-themed makeover of the Brisbane sign at South Bank was cancelled after the government body that controls the site changed its board, according to documents obtained exclusively by the ABC.
The sign is one of the city's most photographed spots. It was created in 2014 for a G20 summit and has been refurbished several times since. Visitors say a photo there is a Brisbane essential.
The cancelled proposal was to decorate the sign for a 10-day Indigenous arts festival held next door at the Queensland Performing Arts Complex.
Government-backed entities, including South Bank Corporation, approved the refresh in April. The $15,000 cost was covered by the festival's budget.
In July, Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie announced a new board for South Bank Corporation. The documents show the approval was withdrawn soon afterwards because of the recent changes to board membership, which meant South Bank Corporation was no longer able to give the approval.
South Bank declined to answer many questions. It said the new board needed to consider the approval again because the sign is a major asset, and that there was not enough time to do so.
Indigenous academic Jackie Huggins said that explanation was inadequate. She linked the decision to wider changes, including the state government scrapping a truth-telling inquiry. She said she believed those involved were being dictated to by higher powers, and described it as part of a broader agenda to erase Aboriginal culture and presence.
The state government rejects that there is any overarching effort to suppress Indigenous voices. It says it is listening to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander councils, and that the sign was a decision for South Bank.
Dr Huggins acknowledged some may see the matter as small, but said it was about symbolism and human rights.
Video: ABC News (Australia).
Key questions
- What was planned for the Brisbane sign?
- A temporary Indigenous-themed redecoration to coincide with a 10-day Indigenous arts festival at the Queensland Performing Arts Complex, approved in April at a cost of $15,000 covered by the festival budget.
- Why was the makeover cancelled?
- The documents say the approval was withdrawn after changes to South Bank Corporation's board meant it was no longer able to provide the approval. South Bank said the new board needed to reconsider it and did not have time.
- What does the Queensland government say?
- It rejects that it is suppressing Indigenous voices, says it is listening to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander councils, and says the sign was a decision for South Bank.