On Thursday, 30 July 2026 I attended estimates hearings with the Education, Arts and Communities Committee. Building on the work of Comms Declare, I asked the CEO of the Queensland Museum about the museum's acceptance of funding from major gas producer, Shell, and its educational integrity in that context.
You can read my exchange with the CEO below or in the official Parliamentary record of proceedings here.
Mr BERKMAN: Could I call the CEO of the Queensland Museum, please? Ms Grace, you would be aware of the concerns around the museum’s sponsorship by gas producer Shell including concerns around threats to educational integrity, the museum’s reputation and legal obligations as they were outlined in a report by Comms Declare that was published on 8 December. Were those risks considered before the partnership with Shell was renewed on 12 December?
Ms Grace: The Queensland Museum retains full editorial, curatorial, academic independence over its research, exhibitions, public programs and education resources. The Future Makers partnership has been in existence for over 10 years and it was very much—and it still is—about supporting science, technology, engineering, mathematic participation and career pathways. It has established strong community relationships in the Chinchilla and Gladstone region as a point of focus, and this has been developed over that 10-year period. Over 1,300 teachers have participated in the Future Makers professional development program and 86 per cent of them have reported that they have increased confidence in teaching STEM related subjects. World Science Festival Queensland events in Gladstone and Chinchilla have also attracted 34,000 attendees.
As you are well aware, Queensland Museum only receives 70 per cent of its operating revenue and we need to be generating additional income from other sources. Partners do not influence our content, our research findings or our decision-making. All partners are assessed through a structured governance framework based on the Queensland Government Sponsorship Policy. The Shell QGC partnership proposal was addressed in accordance with that and was looked at for its public benefit, its strategic alignment, the governance requirements and the operational risk, so it was addressed.