14 August

TSRA News Column
14 – 21 August 2007

I wish to acknowledge the traditional owners of Kaiwalagal, on whose land I am writing from and all other traditional owners and elders throughout our region.

Condolence Message

On behalf of the Board Members of the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA), I would like to extend our sympathies to families who are currently mourning the loss of a loved one. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time.

Local Government Reform

On Friday 27 July, the Queensland Government with advice from the Local Government Reform Commission, announced that from March 2008 our Community Councils will be amalgamated.

As consequence, two communities from the Torres Strait region – Bamaga and Seisia – will now merge with the Aboriginal communities of New Mapoon, Injinoo and Umagico to form the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council, while the remaining 15 Torres Strait Island communities will come together to form a Torres Strait Island Regional Council (TSIRC).

I was disappointed with this announcement. Over the last 18 months, both myself, the Chair of the Island Coordinating Council (ICC) and fellow Community Council Chairpersons have been campaigning for the Queensland Government to allow Torres Strait input into these planned reforms.

In particular, we called for the State Government to work in partnership with us to ensure that changes imposed do not threaten community culture and identity, authority within our communities, land tenure arrangements and the overall work of past and present leaders towards the autonomy and empowerment of our people.

Following the announcement, Members of the ICC including myself, congregated on Thursday Island on 2 August to discuss the planned reforms directly with Queensland Minister for Local Government, Planning Sport and Recreation, the Honourable Andrew Fraser.

I can tell you that I conveyed to the Minister my dissatisfaction and sadness with the overall consultation process conducted by his Government and the resulting decision.

I understand that the State Government is enforcing these changes to ensure financially viability, accountability and transparency of local Governments throughout Queensland, however, the process of how this has come about has failed to take into account the unique position and cultural issues of the Torres Strait.

At the meeting, the Minister confirmed the Government’s intentions to go ahead with the planned mergers and that there was no scope for change to the planned structure and role of the proposed TSIRC. 

We were advised that one representative from each community would be elected to sit on the TSIRC and that this Council will determine and approve the services and distribution of operating funds in the outer island communities.

We were also informed that the Queensland Government plans to create Community Boards on each Island, however the set-up of these were not yet decided on and that his Department would be open to receive submissions on the structure of the proposed Boards.

I will continue to work with the ICC Chairperson and community leaders to maintain a united position on these amalgamations and endeavour to ensure that our concerns are given consideration in this next round of submissions.

The decision made by the State Government will have major changes on individual community governance. I have made it clear to the Minister from the beginning that it is very important that the Torres Strait is consulted and well informed throughout the whole process. Each of our communities need to have equal and fair representation and most importantly, have their concerns heard and taken seriously in this process.

New Business Development Manager for TSRA

I would like to inform you that Mr David Spriggs has recently commenced employment at the TSRA in the role of Business Development Manager.

Mr Spriggs has an extensive background in business management. His work experience includes managing the Australian Government funded New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS) for a major Job Network Provider and being the Agency Development Manager for New South Wales Lotteries. David has also owned his own retail business and his qualifications include a Master in Business Administration.

In this new position at the TSRA, David will be working with our communities to identify opportunities for enterprise development and assist our Indigenous people to access TSRA’s business services including the Business Funding Scheme.

Farewell Garry O’Brien

Last week, the TSRA farewelled one of its long serving staff members, Business Development Officer, Mr Garry O’Brien.

Garry was employed with the TSRA for twelve years, beginning a year after the establishment of the TSRA in 1994. In that time, he has worked hard and played an important role in delivering the TSRA’s Economic Development Programs, which concentrate on improving opportunities for both individual and community economic independence.

On behalf of the TSRA Board, I would like to esso Garry for his valued service and wish him and his family all the best for the future.

Any feedback for on this column can be sent to: 

Mr. John T. Kris

TSRA Chairperson

PO Box 261

Thursday Island QLD 4875

Alternatively, feedback can also be sent through the TSRA website via the media contact in the ‘contact us’ segment of the site.  Until the next column, may God bless you all and keep you safe.

John T. Kris
TSRA Chairperson