Queensland’s arts minister has defended a decision to approve the name for Brisbane’s ambitious new performing arts venue, the Glasshouse Theatre, months before the public was formally invited to cast their votes. The 1,500-seat theatre, which officially opened its doors this month, now stands as the fifth theatre within the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) precinct, solidifying its position as Australia’s largest performing arts facility under a single roof.
Documents obtained under Right to Information laws reveal a notable timeline in the naming process. As early as January last year, an internal staff communication indicated that Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek was “set” on the name “Glasshouse Theatre.” The following month, a briefing note confirmed that the minister had indeed approved this name. It was only after this ministerial sign-off that the community was invited to participate in a consultation process in April.
This pre-approval by the minister occurred before the proposed name was even presented to QPAC’s chief executive, Rachel Healy. In a letter addressed to the minister’s office, Ms. Healy articulated concerns raised by the QPAC board. A key point of contention was the existence of a theatre in Port Macquarie that already bore the same name. The board had put forward an alternative suggestion: “The Watershed.”
Furthermore, Ms. Healy highlighted a significant recommendation from QPAC’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander advisory group. This group had proposed the name “Oodgeroo,” a tribute to the esteemed Aboriginal poet Oodgeroo Noonuccal. Ms. Healy suggested in her letter that this name could serve as “an inspirational national example of Queensland creative imagination and leadership.”
The Community Consultation: A Month of Voting
The official community consultation period for the theatre’s name commenced in April 2025 and ran for a single month. During this time, members of the public were presented with a choice of four names: Glasshouse, Lantern, Watershed, or Russell Street. They were also given the opportunity to propose their own suggestions.
Intriguingly, documents indicate that Minister Langbroek’s own briefing note, suggesting the public naming invitation, was drafted a mere two weeks after he had already officially signed off on “Glasshouse” as the theatre’s name.
Ministerial Statements and Public Perception
When the community consultation was launched, a media release from Mr. Langbroek’s office explained the inspirations behind the proposed names. He stated that “Glasshouse” and “Lantern” were chosen to reflect the theatre’s “shimmering facade,” while “Watershed” and “Russell Street” were intended to “reference the theatre’s location and proximity to the river.”
In July, Mr. Langbroek formally announced that the theatre would indeed be named The Glasshouse. He presented this decision as the outcome of the month-long consultation process. According to the official figures, over 5,000 votes were cast. “Glasshouse” emerged as the clear favourite, securing 42 per cent of the votes. “Lantern” garnered 6.4 per cent, “Watershed” received 3.5 per cent, and “Russell Street” obtained 3.4 per cent.
Beyond the provided options, more than 900 alternative names were put forward by the public. Notably, five respondents independently suggested “Oodgeroo” as their preferred choice.
In a subsequent statement, Mr. Langbroek reiterated that “Glasshouse” had been the government’s “preferred name for the theatre.” He added, “But before we considered making any formal announcement, we checked with Queenslanders who also overwhelmingly backed the name and beyond that we have been overwhelmed with support for the name across the state, country and world. We got it right, it is the perfect name.”
Attorney-General Deb Frecklington also weighed in, asserting that no announcement was made prior to “listening to Queenslanders.” She commented, “It is made of glass and I can’t be any more transparent than that.” When pressed on the hypothetical scenario of “Glasshouse” not winning the public vote, Ms. Frecklington remarked, “Wouldn’t it have been lucky that we hadn’t made our decision then.”
Opposition Criticises ‘Sham Process’
The opposition has voiced strong criticism, labelling the naming process as an “absolute insult.” Shadow Arts Minister Leeanne Enoch argued that the decision disregarded a significant suggestion made by Arts Queensland to the government in 2024 to name the venue the “Oodgeroo Theatre.”
“This could have been an opportunity to name a theatre after a very important person in our history,” Ms. Enoch stated. “But unfortunately they decided that they didn’t like that name, they binned it, and then they entered into what we now know is an absolute sham process.”
In response, Mr. Langbroek countered that the preferred name put forward by the advisory group had not been progressed by the Labor party when they were in government. A spokesperson for QPAC clarified that as the building is government-owned, its naming ultimately “was a matter for the government of the day.”
Key Points in the Naming Controversy:
- Ministerial Approval: Arts Minister John-Paul Langbroek approved the name “Glasshouse Theatre” in February last year, prior to public consultation.
- Community Consultation: Public voting for the theatre’s name occurred in April 2025, after the minister’s approval.
- Alternative Suggestions: QPAC CEO Rachel Healy proposed “The Watershed,” and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander advisory group recommended “Oodgeroo,” in honour of poet Oodgeroo Noonuccal.
- Public Vote Results: “Glasshouse” received 42 per cent of the 5,000+ votes, with “Oodgeroo” being suggested by five individuals.
- Opposition’s View: The Shadow Arts Minister described the process as an “insult” and a “sham.”
