Queensland’s 17 First Nations councils have hosted an historic first meeting under the Queensland Indigenous Council Leaders Accord, held in partnership with the Queensland Government.
The inaugural meeting took place in Cairns last week during the Local Government Association of Queensland’s (LGAQ) Indigenous Leaders Forum. The Accord guarantees local First Nations leaders a seat at the policy-making table, ensuring the Queensland Government hears directly from First Nations council leaders on how to deliver practical outcomes in liveability, economic development and self-determination.
First Nations mayors, Queensland Local Government Minister, Ann Leahy; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Partnerships Minister, Fiona Simpson, Directors-General, and LGAQ representatives attended the landmark meeting.
The Accord was formally signed at the 2025 LGAQ Annual Conference as a key pillar of the Equal Partners in Government Agreement (EPIGA) between the Queensland Government and Queensland’s 77 councils and is the second sub-agreement under EPIGA, alongside the Rural and Remote Councils Compact.
“The Accord consolidates the partnership between Queensland’s 17 discrete First Nations local governments and the Queensland Government as a practical way of working together,” said LGAQ President and Gladstone Mayor, Matt Burnett.
“It sets a clear foundation for how councils and government can turn shared priorities into real, on-the-ground outcomes.”
Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Mayor, Alf Lacey said it was encouraging to see the State Government recognising the importance of the Accord and the aspirations of First Nations communities.
“If we get the economics in our communities right, everything else will fall into place – but it can’t just be business as usual,” he said.
“We can’t just be focused on the tomorrow – we need plans for the next 20 to 50 years to ensure our communities can truly close the gap.”
LGAQ CEO, Alison Smith said the Accord was about securing better outcomes.
“We need to be frank about the challenges, clear about what success looks like, and disciplined about the actions, responsibilities and timeframes that will move us forward,” she said.
