Queensland Health’s NAIDOC Week Flag Raising 2026

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, the Honourable Tim Nicholls MP; Director-General, Queensland Health, Dr David Rosengren; Queensland Health representatives from across Queensland; distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen.

I begin by also acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to all First Nations people here this morning.

I also acknowledge and thank Tribal Experience for that moving smoking ceremony and wonderful Welcome to Country which brings us together in a spirit of goodwill.

It is a privilege to join you during NAIDOC Week, as our nation pauses to honour and celebrate our rich cultural diversity, and the remarkable and enduring impact of our country’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Today’s event is one of hundreds being held across Queensland to mark NAIDOC Week, including the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair—which, as Patron, I will have the honour of opening this Thursday.

When I was sworn in as the State’s 27th Governor nearly five years ago, I pledged to serve all Queenslanders, from those living in our coastal cities and towns, to regional and remote centres, and in our many Indigenous communities. 

I have engaged with Elders, community members and Indigenous youth, hearing about their life experiences and challenges, and about their many successes and their hopes for the future.

At my swearing in, I also committed to visiting all public hospital and health services to see firsthand the remarkable work and dedication of our doctors, nurses, health care professionals and administrators. 

To date I have visited 133 public hospitals and health centres, with the most recent visit being to the Bamaga Hospital last month. 

Last year, I was particularly proud to officially open the North Queensland Kidney Transplant Service at the Townsville University Hospital and the new Normanton Hospital, which provides vital services to surrounding communities.

These visits reaffirmed to me that our health care system has a vital role to play in improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

The national agreement on Closing the Gap reminds us that while improvements have been made, challenges remain—particularly in the areas of life expectancy, chronic disease, mental health and emotional wellbeing. This requires a shared responsibility and a sustained commitment to transforming our health services so that they serve First Nations people with dignity and fairness. 

Queensland Health’s ongoing work in this area demonstrates that this transformation is possible when it is guided by community voices and grounded in cultural respect.

I commend Queensland Health and our Hospital and Health Services on their commitment to implementing health equity strategies for, and with, First Nations people. I also acknowledge the appointment of Samantha Wild as the new Chief First Nations Heath Officer, and highlight the extraordinary contributions of First Nations staff within Queensland Health who help shape a stronger, more culturally appropriate healthcare system. 

To all health staff—whether you work in bustling metropolitan hospitals or remote clinics hundreds of kilometres from the nearest town—thank you for the professionalism and commitment you bring to improving health and wellbeing outcomes of all Queenslanders.

This NAIDOC Week, let us recommit to moving further towards a Queensland where every person can access culturally safe, trusted, and high-quality health care; a place where all Queenslanders can thrive.