Committee Details

ABOUT THE INQUIRY

The Inquiry into prehistoric, dinosaur and paleo tourism in Outback Queensland was introduced into the Queensland Parliament on 18 September 2023. On 13 February 2024, the Legislative Assembly amended Schedule 6 of the Standing Rules and Orders of the Legislative Assembly, and transferred the Inquiry to the Community Support and Services Committee for detailed consideration.

NOTE: SUBMISSIONS AND RELATED PUBLICATIONS RECEIVED PRIOR TO 13 FEBRUARY 2024 ARE LOCATED ON THE FORMER COMMITTEE'S INQUIRY WEBPAGE.                   

TERMS OF REFERENCE

That the Economics and Governance Committee inquire into and report to the Legislative Assembly on:

• recent developments and initiatives to build prehistoric, dinosaur and paleo tourism in Queensland
• the value of prehistoric, dinosaur and paleo tourism to the Outback Queensland economy
• challenges and opportunities for the further development of the industry into the future.

BACKGROUND TO THE INQUIRY

The Inquiry was established in reference to the committee’s examination of the Emblems of Queensland and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023 (Bill) - since enacted as the Emblems of Queensland and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2023,  which officially established the Muttaburrasaurus langdoni (The Muttaburrasaurus dinosaur) as the State’s fossil emblem. 

The Economics and Governance Committee recognised that the establishment of the new fossil emblem represents the latest development in a series of initiatives which have helped build a prehistoric, dinosaur and paleo tourism industry that is now an important contributor to the Outback Queensland economy and employment. Noting this, and the significant paleo resources and characteristics Outback Queensland has to offer (and further opportunities for industry expansion), the committee resolved to inquire into prehistoric, dinosaur and paleo tourism in Outback Queensland while examining the Bill. 

Further information about the committee’s proceedings and site visits for its Inquiry is available below.    

submissions

The Economics and Governance Committee accepted and published submissions addressing the terms of reference of the Inquiry into prehistoric, dinosaur and paleo tourism in Outback Queensland from all interested parties. 

Submissions closed on Wednesday 31 January 2024.

Submissions may be viewed under the ‘View Submissions’ tab on the former Economics and Governance Committee 

PUBLIC BRIEFING

The Economics and Governance Committee held a public briefing on the Bill and Inquiry with departmental officers on Monday 25 September 2023. A transcript of the public briefing is located at the bottom of this page (Inquiry Timeline) and under the Related Publications tab.

FURTHER consultation

Details of any further committee proceedings and site visits will be advised in due course.

Previous proceedings

The Economics and Governance Committee visited Winton and Muttaburra from 3 to 5 October 2023 to conduct site visits and welcome input from local stakeholders in relation to the Bill (particularly its establishment of the Muttaburrasaurus as the fossil emblem) and Inquiry terms of reference. 

The Economics and Governance Committee held a public hearing in Winton on Wednesday, 4 October 2023 and a public forum in Muttaburra on Thursday, 5 October 2023 at which the committee heard from interested organisations, businesses and community members. 

The Economics and Governance Committee held a public hearing in Brisbane on Monday, 23 October 2023, at which the committee heard from tourism organisations and palaeontologists.

Transcripts of the proceedings are available at the bottom of this page (Inquiry Timeline) and under the Related Publications tab.  The video broadcast of the hearing in Brisbane on 23 October 2023 is available on Parliament.TV.

COMMITTEE REPORT  

The Community Support and Services Committee will table its report on 30 August 2024. Once the report has been tabled, it will be published here.

The Government has 3 months to respond to the report’s recommendations (if any). At that time, any Government Response will be published here.

Further information

Further information, including any written briefings or advice, correspondence and transcripts will be made available under the Related Publications tab.

INQUIRY TIMELINE