First Nations Staff Cultural Safety Plummets in Queensland Department 2026

The number of First Nations staff who feel culturally safe working in Queensland’s Indigenous affairs department has plummeted by 25 percentage points in just one year, according to a leaked survey tabled in parliament. The survey of department staff shows that only 42% of Aboriginal public servants responded positively to the statement “as an Aboriginal person, I feel culturally safe at work.”

According to the document, 26% were not sure, and 32% responded with “no.” The survey was conducted between August and September this year among staff at the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships (DATSIP).

What the Survey Reveals About Cultural Safety

The leaked survey results represent a significant deterioration in cultural safety within the department responsible for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partnerships. The proportion of staff feeling culturally safe dropped by 25 percentage points compared to the previous year.

Moreover, the result is 16 percentage points below the average across the state government, indicating that the department lags behind other public sector agencies in this critical area. The survey was one of two leaked documents tabled by the state’s Labor opposition on Thursday.

Political Reactions and Allegations of Secrecy

The shadow minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander partnerships, Leeanne Enoch, said the numbers evidenced “a deliberate, systematic approach to minimising and diminishing First Nations voices right across the board.”

Enoch argued that there is a pattern of secrecy from the Liberal National party government, which has been in power since 2024. The tabling of the leaked documents in parliament was an attempt by the opposition to highlight what they see as a lack of transparency and accountability.

Why Cultural Safety Matters in Public Service

Cultural safety is a critical component of a healthy workplace, particularly for First Nations employees who may face unique challenges and systemic barriers. When staff do not feel culturally safe, it can lead to lower morale, higher turnover, and poorer outcomes for the communities they serve.

The department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships has a specific mandate to support and empower First Nations communities. If its own staff do not feel safe, it raises questions about the department’s ability to fulfill that mandate effectively.

Key Takeaways from the Leaked Survey

• Only 42% of Aboriginal staff feel culturally safe at work, a 25-point drop from the previous year.
• 32% of respondents explicitly said they do not feel culturally safe.
• The department’s result is 16 percentage points below the state government average.
• The survey was conducted between August and September this year.
• The opposition alleges a pattern of secrecy and diminishing First Nations voices.

Comparing Cultural Safety Across the Public Sector

The table below summarises the key figures from the survey and compares them with the state government average. Context on how this played out before sits in First Nations Staff Cultural Safety Plummets in Queensland Department.

Note: The state government average for “feel culturally safe” is derived from the survey’s statement that the department’s result is 16 percentage points below the average. Other averages were not provided in the source. The background to this story is set out in Australia: latest articles. A related thread runs through Elizabeth Struhs Inquest: Why Child Safety Deemed Her Safe.

What This Means for First Nations Communities

The decline in cultural safety within DATSIP is concerning because the department is meant to be a conduit between the government and First Nations communities. If staff are not feeling safe, it may impact the quality of advice and services provided. Earlier coverage in Whale Carcass at Coogee Beach: Rangers Urge Towing Out to Sea shows how the argument developed. A closer look at the same subject appears in Queensland Minister Amanda Camm Resigns Citing Health and Safety.

It also raises questions about the government’s commitment to reconciliation and closing the gap. The opposition has used these documents to argue that the government is not prioritising First Nations voices. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Denmark's Open Source Office Pilot Struggles With Microsoft Dependency. The same theme surfaces in Threats Against Politicians Rise: Building Safer Politics, which takes a different angle.

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