Torres News Chairperson’s Column Edition 14 June 2010 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. CDEP Reform Community Consultations Next week all communities in the Torres Strait will be visited by TSRA and Australian Government staff to explain the changes that are happening to CDEP. Community members will be given a booklet and fact sheets which clearly explain what is going to happen, when it will happen and what CDEP participants have to do as part of these changes. The changes are happening in two stages with stage one commencing on 1 July 2010 so it is important that as many CDEP participants as possible try to attend these information sessions. The dates for the community visits are in this week’s Torres News, broadcast on 4MW and also on posters in your Council Office. Please call TSRA on telephone 1800 079 093 if you would like any further information about changes to CDEP. Mabo Day and Regional Sea Claim The region celebrated Mabo Day last week on 3 June. This landmark day recognises the efforts of Mr Eddie Mabo to gain native title recognition for Mer Island traditional owners. It is timely that as we celebrate Mabo Day the Federal Court of Australia recently announced it is ready to hand down the decision regarding the Torres Strait Regional Sea Claim. The Regional Sea Claim was filed in 2001 by Torres Strait Traditional Owners from the Islands of Erub, Ugar, Mer, Naghir, Masig, Poruma, Warraber, Iama, Boigu, Saibai, Dauan, Mabuaig, Badu and Mua to the Federal Court of Australia as a combined regional sea claim on behalf of Torres Strait Islanders. Justice Finn of the Federal Court has heard evidence from the parties about the claim and is now ready to hand down his decision on 2 July 2010 at Court 1, Cairns Court Complex, Sheridan Street, Cairns. The handing down of the Judge’s decision is open to the public. Any person (excluding some Torres Strait PBC Chairs and some Torres Strait witnesses) wishing to attend court sittings must do so at their own expense. All inquiries can be directed to the Native Title Office of the Torres Strait Regional Authority on telephone (07) 4069 2581. Minister for Climate Change visit 4 – 6 May 2010 Last month the TSRA hosted a visit from the Minister of Climate Change, Energy Efficiency and Water Senator the Hon Penny Wong. The Minister was invited by TSRA Portfolio Member for Environmental Management Mr Walter Mackie to see the damage sustained to the region by the king tides. During her visit the Minister announced $1 million to be used for the maintenance of the soon to be installed tidal gauges and an additional $400,000 to be used to conduct further research into the impacts of rising sea levels in the Torres Strait. After visiting the communities of Saibai and Iama, Minister Wong gained an appreciation of the damage caused to communities by the king tides and was keen for her department (Department of Climate Change) to work closely with the TSRA to assist impacted communities in the future. MTSRF Conference in Cairns I was asked to attend the Marine and Tropical Sciences Research Facility (MTSRF) conference in Cairns from 18-20th May 2010. The conference theme was “Impacts and Achievements of the MTSRF”, and aimed to showcase the Australian Government's investment in the MTSRF in terms of improved sustainability for the North Queensland region, and Australia. Australian Government Minister for the Environment, the Hon Peter Garrett, also attended the conference and I was able to speak briefly with him about the impact climate change is having on our region and precious sea resources. The Minister expressed an interest in visiting the region so we look forward to welcoming him in the near future. I would like to acknowledge the TSRA’s Land and Sea Management Unit (LSMU) Manager Damian Miley and staff for their support as well as Sheridan Morris and her team of researchers at Reef and Rainforest Research Centre who are delivering on MTSRF, and their partnership in assisting the TSRA to develop and deliver programs that will benefit the future generations of Torres Strait Islander people. Myrtle’s battle against climate change book launch in Cairns TSRA Portfolio Member for Fisheries Mr Kenny Bedford officially launched a children’s book in Cairns written by Dr Marianna Fuentes, who is a scientist with the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre in Cairns. Dr Fuentes is a frequent visitor to the Torres Strait where she conducts research into sea turtles. The book is based around the adventures of a turtle named Myrtle and her struggle as the world around her changes due to climate change impacts. This story is based on the true adventures of a sea turtle satellite tagged off Mer Island, and is dedicated to the children of the Torres Strait with the hope they learn about climate change, its effects on sea turtles and can find a way to change this for the future. Until the next column, may God bless you all and keep you safe. John T Kris Chairperson Torres Strait Regional Authority