A Queensland council’s tourism video has been pulled after it was accused of “whitewashing” and slammed for excluding indigenous culture.
Rockhampton Regional Council's "Rockhampton Can" campaign aimed to promote the region's liveability and tourism potential, but failed to represent 7% of its population, being aboriginals.
The video, which cost the tourism body $6000, quickly garnered attention on social media, with Indigenous locals saying it was a "whitewash" and "didn't celebrate the Darumbal people".
It shows various shots of white women enjoying a lunch at a restaurant, working out at a gym and kayaking.
As the social media scrutiny intensified, Rockhampton Regional Council responded, saying they had taken down the video.
Today, major Margaret Strelow has taken full responsibility for Rockhampton's latest tourism marketing campaign and apologised to the community.
She admitted it was “a bit Caucasian-centric” and “not representative of our community”.
Strelow was tight-lipped about who produced the final cut.
AdNews has contacted Rockhampton Regional Council for comment.
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