With Torres Strait Regional Authority Chairperson, John Toshie Kris.

This is the first of many columns that I hope to publish in the Torres News to inform our communities of some of the latest issues and developments that are unfolding in the Torres Strait.  With many of the areas that will be discussed, I encourage people to consider these further and I welcome any feedback that our families may have.

Kuiku Mabaigal Forum
As many people would be aware, the Island Coordinating Council Chairperson, Mr Robert Sagigi called for a community forum on Badu Island between 12 – 13 August to discuss regional governance (including the proposed Queensland Government green paper on Torres Strait Governance) and native title.  I have personally forwarded an apology to Mr Sagigi to explain that I would not be available to attend and invited him to bring feedback from the forum to the next TSRA Board meeting.  I look forward to hearing from him about discussions at the Kuiku Mabaigal Forum. 

Overseas Trip
I recently completed my first trip as TSRA Chairperson to the United Nations Working Group for Indigenous Peoples.  This was a valuable experience for me as it provided a real opportunity to understand the predicament of indigenous people from around the world.  My address to the UNWGIP has been posted on the TSRA website www.tsra.gov.au under speeches.  You will note that this year I have outlined the situation that exists in the Torres Strait as a border area.  Unlike any other part of Australia, we shares an international border with a neighbouring country and because of this circumstance we often have to deal with issues that many other comparable regions do not have to consider.   

I also had the opportunity to visit Cambridge University in England to see firsthand the Torres Strait items that are being housed there and discuss the return of various objects to our homeland.  I wish to thank Cambridge University for their efforts in preserving these invaluable cultural items and for their willingness to hold discussions with us about such a culturally significant project.  There is still a lot of work that is needed to make this dream a reality and I am confident that we can achieve this now that we have constructed our own place for cultural safekeeping at the Gab Titui Cultural Centre.  The TSRA will continue to keep our community informed of progress with this. 

Review of the Torres Strait Islander Land Act 

The Queensland Government is currently conducting a review of its Torres Strait Islander Land Act and has invited the TSRA to identify key issues to be considered by this review.  As many traditional owners will remember from last September’s Land Summit, full ownership of traditional lands and the development of a new system of land tenure were identified as the two key outcomes they wanted for the Torres Strait. 

Some of the points that I have outlined to the Queensland Government in my response are:

• There needs to be a comprehensive review that gives effect to the aspirations of Torres Strait Islanders for land ownership;
• The need for stand alone legislation for the Torres Strait which deals with land tenure issues;
• The need to simplify land tenure in the Torres Strait; and
• The need to consult with our people to determine what type of land tenure they want. 

In relation to the TSI Land Act as it currently exists, I have identified the following points as areas of concern:

• The Minister has the power to appoint and remove Trustees, and not the traditional owners;
• The Act does not give recognition to individual land holders;
• There are potential problems in this Act for Island Councils and other who want to access land to build houses and other infrastructure;
• The problems of having both a Land Trust and a Prescribed Body Corporate who hold the land.  This means that people will have to talk to and get agreement from two bodies before they can use the land; and
• That Land Trusts are not presently funded.

The TSRA with the Island Coordinating Council will be encouraging the Queensland Government to consult broadly with all Torres Strait Islanders during this review. 

The TSRA Board Portfolio Member for native title is Mr Donald Banu.  If traditional owners or members of the community would like to provide feedback regarding this review process initiated by the State, please write to the PBC Chairs, Mr Banu, or myself so we can table these issues. 

Any feedback for my column can be sent to: 

Mr John T. Kris
TSRA Chairperson
PO Box 261
THURSDAY ISLAND  QLD  4875 

Alternatively, feedback can be sent to me through the TSRA website via the media contact in the “contact us” segment of the site.  Until my next column, may god bless you all and keep you safe. 

John T. Kris

TSRA Chairperson