2006 Speeches

Address by TSRA Chairman

Mr Toshie Kris

IBA Conference, Sydney

18 July 2006

May I begin by acknowledging:

• The traditional owners of this land on which I am standing here today
• Distinguished Guests
• Ladies and Gentlemen

Good morning/afternoon, firstly I would like to introduce myself. My name is Toshie Kris, and I am the Chairperson of the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA).  

The TSRA is an Australian Government Statutory Authority, based on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait and was first established on 1 July 1994, under the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Act 1989, which has since been amended to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005. 

The TSRA is the peak representative body for Indigenous people living within the Torres Strait region, and has a vision to “empower our people to determine their own affairs based on our unique Ailan Kastom, from which we draw our unity and strength.” 

With a yearly budget of approximately $56.8 million (2006-07) by direct appropriation from the Australian Department of Finance, and through formulating and implementing appropriate programs and support services, including the provision of loans and grants, the TSRA aims to strengthen the economic, social and cultural development of the region, which, in turn, will assist to improve the lifestyle and wellbeing of Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people living in our area. 

We hope to achieve this by striving towards our 6 goals of: 

• gaining recognition of our rights, customs and identity as Indigenous peoples;
• achieving a better quality of life for all people living in the Torres Strait region;
• developing a sustainable economic base;
• achieving better health and community services;
• ensuring protection of our environment; and
• asserting our native title over the lands and waters of the Torres Strait region.

Our 6 goals have influenced the nature of the program and services in which we deliver.

Goal 1. Gaining recognition of our rights, customs and identity as indigenous peoples
Our culture, traditions, including stories, song, art and dance is crucial to our identity as Torres Strait Islanders, and the TSRA believes that our Ailan Kastom and culture must be preserved and maintained. We endeavour to promote and support Torres Strait arts and culture by providing assistance to individuals and organisations to revitalise as well as promote and maintain cultural practices.  

One outstanding example of this, is the Gab Titui Cultural Centre. In April 2004, the TSRA in partnership with the Australian and Queensland Governments opened the Gab Titui Cultural Centre, on Thursday Island. This Centre has become an icon in its own right. It is the home and public keeping place for the region’s culture, tradition and customs, as well as being a place of inspiration, where the young can learn from the old, and our artists can develop themselves, as well as exhibit their work.    

The Centre is showcasing the Torres Strait to the world. Already our artists are gaining recognition as outstanding Indigenous talents, and their works being displayed not only at Gab Titui, but also across Australia and the world. 

Gab Titui has been extremely successful since its opening. In only 2 years, it has gained a reputation of being a must see attraction when visiting the region. Last November, the Centre was recognised with the Queensland 2005 Tourism Award for excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Tourism, and in February this year, it received a high commendation in the same category at the National Tourism Awards.  

Goal 2.  Achieving a better quality of life for all people living in the Torres Strait region
Through partnership with Government and non government organisations, including local communities, the TSRA is focusing on improving the living standard and inturn, the quality of life for the people of this region. 

An example of the TSRA working towards this vision is the Major Infrastructure Program or MIP. Until just over a decade ago, Torres Strait communities were living in substandard conditions. In 1996, it was identified that approximately $300 million would be needed to upgrade and install basic essential infrastructure, to improve living standards in the region.  

In 1998, the Australian and Queensland Governments collaborated to begin the MIP, which is delivered through the TSRA. MIP has begun to address the region’s environmental health infrastructure needs.  

Since its commencement, this Program has enhanced our peoples lives, by removing pan toilets and installing flushing systems, building sewerage treatment plants and reticulation systems, improving the supply of clean drinking water, preparing subdivisional developments, road-works, drainage and waste management, to name a few if its achievements. 

MIP has also resulted in benefits other than infrastructure development. Community capacity building has increased, with employment and accredited training being undertaken by community members at project sites, increasing confidence and the pool of skilled workers in the local labour force. 

Enterprise and business development has also flourished with the assistance of MIP.  Local councils and organisations have built on the improved infrastructure to enter the tourism and hospitality industries. 

As you can see, MIP is an extensive program and a great example of what a whole of government approach can achieve. It is building the foundation which underpins regional development. 

Goal 3.  Developing a sustainable economic base
I would like to focus on this area for a few minutes. The TSRA has one planned outcome, which is to achieve a better quality of life and to develop an economic base for Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal persons living in the Torres Strait. 

The Economic Development Program is a significant initiative of the TSRA. The Program abides by 3 principles – Sustainability, Innovation and Financial Independence. It includes three distinct sub-sections, being the Business Funding Scheme (BFS), Home Ownership Program (HOP) and the Community Economic Initiatives Scheme CEIS).   

Each of these programs are aimed at increasing economic independence and providing meaningful opportunities to Torres Strait Islanders and Aboriginal people living in the Torres Strait to develop a secure financial base.  

TSRA is continually seeking to identify avenues for economic development and professional mentoring services in order to build the capacity of business owners and potential business funding applicants. Co-ordination of these services from a variety of available sources is a key focus of the delivery of the Economic Development Program.  

We realise that we can not solely be responsible for Economic Development within the region and so have built a number of valuable relationships to facilitate and support opportunities. We have currently established partnerships which involve the IBA, Queensland Departments of Development, Trade and Innovation and the Department of Transport and Regional Services as well as the National Australia Bank (NAB). 

Such partnerships assist in refining our service, increasing the pool of resources and providing additional professional business advice which allows for better coordination of effort. 

The more mentoring support we can provide through the Program, the better the chances of success for our regional enterprises.  

As at June 2006, the TSRA had 40 home loans, 47 business loans and an output budget of $1.8M for Economic Development in 2006-07.  With the majority of our Indigenous people maintaining their cultural links and livelihood with the sea, 49.1 %, which is almost half of the total of our grant and loans were for commercial fishing ventures. A summary of the TSRA grant and loan portfolio includes enterprises in various industries, such as: 

Tourism – small tourist fishing charters, guesthouse/motel/resorts 16.36%  (9)
Construction – block making factory 9.1%  (5)
Commercial fishing – including cray-fishing 49.1% (27)
Transport – ferry and taxi operations 12.73% (7)
Retail – restaurant 7.27% (4)
Seafood processing – 3.63%  (2)
Light industrial marine – 1.81% (1)

An example of a TSRA assisted community economic project is Masig (Yorke) Island’s Lowatta Lodge, which is funded through the CEIS. The Lowatta Lodge has provided a significant economic boost for Masig Island residents providing quality accommodation to families, business and tourists visiting the island. In the short time of operations since 2003, the lodge has embarked on a second stage development of an additional four self contained cabins to meet market demands for accommodation on the Island.   

The project has provided opportunity for local participation in managing the lodge and has resulted in training and development for a number of local residents. Further plans are underway to provide additional complementary activities for guests, such as fishing trips, guided cultural tours, visits to uninhabited islands, increasing the opportunities for local residents to participate in this exciting enterprise.  

In the Northern Peninsula Area community of Seisia, TSRA Programs have also had a positive impact on the town’s economy. Over the last decade, Seisia has become a tourist hub, and the TSRA has supported individuals and organisations to identify and develop enterprises to cater for the increase in demand for tourist related services.  

Businesses established in Seisia community include an abattoir, supermarket, service station, and holiday park. These have contributed to building community capacity and wealth creation. It is ventures like these that are building self-confidence, providing training and development, and employment to local people. 

To further enhance regional Economic Development, the TSRA encourages Community Development and Employment Program (CDEP) providers to use TSRA initiatives and services such as the Business Funding Scheme, Community Economic Incentive Scheme to compliment the delivery of CDEP. 

There are currently 1,970 community members participating in the CDEP scheme, in 19 of the Torres Strait’s 21 communities. Through linking CDEP with enterprise initiatives, our people are benefiting from positive economic and social outcomes by directly taking part in developing their communities and at the same time they are increasing their skills and being prepared for mainstream employment, reducing welfare dependency. 

Goal 4.  Achieving better health and community services
Compared to our non-Indigenous counterparts, Torres Strait Islanders and Aboriginal people continue to experience more illness and die at a younger age. In Queensland, the mortality rate in the Torres Strait is 2.5 times higher than the rest of the State, particularly between the ages of 40-70 years. 

Diabetes, End Stage Renal Failure, Cardio Vascular and Mosquito borne diseases are prominent, and in addition the Torres Strait region shares its border with two foreign countries, adding to public health strains and communicable disease threats. 

The TSRA recognises that increased awareness and information is needed to be shared amongst stakeholders to address and attempt to improve Indigenous health outcomes. 

In 1999 we signed the Torres Strait Health Partnership Agreement with the Australian Department of Health and Ageing, and the Queensland Department of Health.  

As a partner, we provide policy advice, secretariat support and information on a range of health issues to the Partnership and also ensure that environmental health and community infrastructure programs, including mainstream health programs, are linked and appropriate for Torres Strait’s communities. 

In addition, the TSRA also delivers community service support, to better improve our people’s access to essential services. We currently provide funding in areas such as Social Justice including Legal Aid, Media and Communication, Sport and domestic violence mitigation. 

Currently the Queensland Government does not fully fund our communities to fulfil their municipal responsibilities. The TSRA is providing some assistance through its Municipal Support Program to ensure our communities can access essential municipal services to enhance their daily lifestyle.  

It is our intention to make sure that this changes in the future, so that our community councils are receiving the appropriate levels of resources from the State to fulfil their functions. 

Goal 5. Ensuring protection of our environment
The Torres Strait is a unique area, covering almost 150 kilometres with 19 island communities and 2 mainland communities on the Northern Peninsula Area.  

We are rich in marine life and our waters are habitat to turtles and dugongs as well as abundant in tropical rock lobster and fish.  

Our people continue to maintain strong cultural bonds and ties to the land and sea as well as rely on our natural assets for income and to feed their families. With the important link to the environment, the TSRA recognises that these unique resources must be maintained for future generations and also, if managed appropriately, they have the potential to build the foundations for tourism and economic growth. 

We have recently established a Land and Sea Management Unit, to promote and work in partnership with our communities to develop locally based options to sustainably manage our land and sea. We also collaborate with a number of government agencies, such as the Natural Heritage Trust to further develop “environmentally friendly” initiatives in the region. 

The TSRA is also an active member of the Protected Zone Joint Authority – whose role is pivotal in managing the Torres Strait’s fisheries. We work with traditional inhabitants to promote and maintain their fishing rights. Eventually, the TSRA would like to see the people of this region take ownership and manage the region’s fisheries. 

We are continually encouraging community fishers to participate and provide input into how they would like to see their resources managed. A notable recent achievement is the increased allocation of the Finfish and Tropical Rock Lobster catch for traditional fishermen. Under the new fisheries reforms that are taking place in the Torres Strait, this will be our challenge to ensure that economic opportunity works hand in hand with sustainability. 

Goal 6.  Asserting our native title over the lands and waters of the Torres Strait region
Following this historic Mabo Native Title judgement in 1992, the Native Title Act was established in 1993. As a consequence the TSRA is today the Native Title Representative Body for the Torres Strait. Our Native Title Office (NTO) works with traditional land owners to progress land claims and as well currently focusing on the Regional Sea Claim.

Conclusion & Overview of Economic Development in the Torres Strait

The TSRA is always looking for opportunities for future strategic planning and investment.  As per our vision, we want to empower our people. This is incorporated into our future planning, for example we are currently attempting to introduce sponsorship for at least one Torres Strait Islander per year to participate in the Australian Rural Leadership Program and annually we offer administration traineeships, as well as offering tertiary education scholarships. 

Economic Development in the Torres Strait is faced with a number of issues that continue to present challenges to overcome. The Region’s remote geographical location contributes to high freight and transport costs and limited access to professional services. All these add to the increased cost of establishing and maintaining businesses and inturn impact on the levels of disposable income and affordability of goods and services.  

Other obstacles facing the creation of new businesses, are the economies of scale. Whilst Thursday Island has a significant population of around 3,000, the majority of other islands have only small populations (200-250) which present additional challenges to producing a solid feasible business case.  

Home ownership is another area that we aim to address and it presents a significant challenge for individuals and government agencies alike. The TSRA currently provides competitive home loans to Indigenous individuals living in the region, however, there are limited opportunities available for one to own their own home on community islands due to current land tenure legislation. Our communities all operate under a Deed of Grant in Trust or DOGITs. We are interested to hear the experiences of other Indigenous people at this conference in particular, how the issue of land tenure has been addressed.  

Identified opportunities for future development within the Region include the expanded participation within the fishing industry, carefully managed tourism ventures and strategic industry development, to increase the level of locally produced products therefore reducing the reliance on imported goods.  

We are committed to maintaining partnerships with other Government Agencies and Private Industry to actively seek opportunities that will bring economic development benefits to the Region.  

By strengthening these relationships and working in partnership with our communities to build their economic and business capacity, we are one step closer to achieving our vision of empowering our people and our planned outcome, to establish an economic base, and ensure a positive future for the Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal people of the Torres Strait.