Department of Resources

On 9 August 2024, the Inquiry wrote to the Department of Resources (DoR) and requested a written submission outlining:

1. The historical and contemporaneous relevance of the Department of Resources’ functions and responsibilities to the matters described in paragraphs 5(a) to (d) of the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference;
2. An overview of any position, policy, strategy, plan or actions that the Department of Resources currently has in place relevant to the matters described in paragraphs 5(a) to (d) of the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference;
3. Any broad categories of historical documents or data that the Department of Resources holds relevant to the matters described in paragraphs 5(a) to (d) of the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference; and
4. Any work, tasks, goals or actions allocated to the Department of Resources pursuant to findings or recommendations made by any previous inquiry or commission since 2010 that directly relates to the matters described in paragraphs 5(a) to (d) of the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference.

On 9 August 2024, the Inquiry wrote to the DoR and requested a written submission outlining:

1.  The annotated chronology submitted by the State of Queensland as an aide memoire, and ‘Marked for Identifcation’ reference at the substantive hearing in Sandy (on behalf of the Yugara People) and Others v Queensland and Others (No 2) [2015] FCA 15.

2.  All expert reports (or afidavits annexing expert reports) tendered to the Federal Court of Australia in Sandy (on behalf of the Yugara People) and Others v Queensland and Others (No 2) [2015] FCA 15, including:

a.  The expert report referred to at paragraph [19] of such judgment;

b.  The two affidavits of Dr Powell affirmed on 30 April 2012 and 22 May 2012 referred to at paragraph [19] of such judgment;

c.  The ‘Supplementary Anthropological Report’ of Dr Powell referred to at paragraph [19] of such judgment;

d.  The report by Dr Macdonald dated September 2009 referred to at paragraph [21] of such judgment; 

e.  The report of Dr Rod Fisher referred to at paragraph [25] of such judgment; and

f.  The (historical) report entitled Rod Fisher ‘The Turrbal People in Brisbane History’ dated November 2009 and tendered with agreed redactions by the Turrbal Applicant.

On 28 August 2024, DoR provided a submission which provided the information requested.

Records relating to Sandy (on behalf of the Yugara People) and Others v Queensland and Others (No 2) [2015] FCA 15 are covered by court confidentiality, so are unable to be uploaded to the Inquiry’s website. 

On 24 September 2024, the Director-General of DoR appeared at a Government Session and provided oral submissions to the Inquiry.

On 30 September 2024, the Inquiry wrote to DoR and requested a submission that included the following: 

1. Walk the Talk; Reframing the Relationship and Treaty Readiness Plan 2023-26;
2. Action Plans related to Walk the Talk: Reframing the Relationship and Treaty Readiness Plan 2023-26; and
3. Any audit, report, review or analysis in relation to implementation of the Walk the Talk: Reframing the Relationship and Treaty Readiness Plan 2023-26 or related Action Plans.

On 10 October 2024, DoR provided a 59 page submission which provided the information requested.