To: Queensland Rugby League (QRL)

From: Concerned participating nations, team representatives, players, families and members of the Pasifika community
Date: 30 October 2026

OUR PETITION

We, the undersigned, respectfully call on Queensland Rugby League (QRL) to urgently intervene following the cancellation of the 2026 Queensland Pacific Island Cultural Carnival (QPICC).

We call on QRL to support the reinstatement of the carnival, allow participating teams the opportunity to compete as planned, and provide written approval for an alternative cultural carnival should reinstatement not be possible.

WHY WE ARE PETITIONING

The cancellation of QPICC 2026 has left our participating nations, teams and communities deeply disappointed.

Behind every team are months of preparation, sacrifice and commitment. Players have trained, coaches and volunteers have given countless hours, families have made financial commitments, and people have organised travel, taken leave from work and made arrangements to participate, including those travelling interstate and internationally.

This is more than the cancellation of a sporting event. QPICC represents an opportunity for our Pacific communities to come together through rugby league, celebrate our cultures, strengthen relationships and create meaningful pathways for our young people.

We acknowledge the efforts of everyone who has contributed to the carnival. However, we believe that the impact of this decision on participating nations and families must be given genuine consideration.

Our people deserve transparency, meaningful consultation and the opportunity to explore workable solutions before the cancellation becomes final.

OUR FORMAL REQUESTS TO QRL

We respectfully request that Queensland Rugby League:

1. Urgently intervene and advocate for reinstatement

Engage with QPICC organisers as a matter of urgency and request that the cancellation be reconsidered, with the aim of allowing the carnival to proceed as originally planned.

2. Protect the opportunity for our teams to play

Explore all reasonable options to ensure participating teams are not denied the opportunity to compete after months of preparation and significant financial and personal commitments.

3. Provide written approval for an alternative cultural carnival

If QPICC cannot be reinstated, issue a formal letter of approval confirming that the affected nations may organise an alternative cultural rugby league carnival, subject to applicable QRL requirements, competition rules, venue approvals, insurance and relevant safety obligations.

4. Support a timely and practical pathway forward

Work collaboratively with the affected nations and team representatives to identify a viable solution before the scheduled carnival dates, including clarification of any applicable competition, sanctioning and operational requirements.

5. Commit to transparent consultation

Ensure affected nations and their representatives are meaningfully consulted about decisions that directly impact their teams, communities and future participation.

OUR POSITION

We are not seeking conflict. We are seeking fairness, accountability, consultation and a practical solution.

We recognise that event organisers may face genuine challenges. However, we believe every reasonable avenue should be explored to minimise the impact on participating nations and the wider community.

Our Pacific communities have invested their time, resources and trust into this carnival. Our players deserve the opportunity to take the field, our families deserve consideration, and our young people deserve to see leadership that prioritises communication, collaboration and solutions.

If the original carnival cannot proceed, we ask that the opportunity to play, connect and celebrate our cultures is not lost.

We stand united in our call for urgent action.

THE RELIEF WE SEEK

We respectfully request a written response from QRL as soon as possible, given the imminent scheduled carnival dates, confirming:

Whether QRL will support urgent discussions to seek reinstatement of QPICC 2026.
What practical options are available to enable the participating teams to compete.
Whether QRL will provide written approval for an alternative cultural carnival, subject to the necessary requirements.
We ask QRL to recognise the significance of this matter and work alongside our communities to achieve a fair and constructive outcome.

Our request is simple: give our teams a chance to play, give our nations a voice, and give our communities a pathway forward.  

Sign and share this petition to help us protect our culture, community, and future.