Aboriginal Law Bulletin --- "Stirrings: Torres Strait Islander Inquiry" [1997] AboriginalLawB 11; (1997) 3(89) Aboriginal Law Bulletin 2

• Stirrings: Torres Strait Islander Inquiry

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Stirrings:

Torres Strait Islander Inquiry

A Commonwealth Inquiry ('the Inquiry') was established following a reference by Senator John Herron on 15 August 1996 to the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs. The terms of reference of the Inquiry are:

• Whether the people of the Torres Strait would benefit from a greater degree of autonomy;
• What forms should a greater autonomy take;
• What are the implications for Torres Strait Islanders resident outside the Torres Strait region of receiving greater autonomy, including whether ATSIC or the Torres Strait Regional Authority should represent the interests of such residents.

The Inquiry has already taken a range of submissions and evidence during late 1996, and will recommence taking oral evidence in February/March this year. It has also held a few public hearings - in Townsville, Cairns and on Thursday Islandand is preparing to hold further hearings in Brisbane, Sydney, Rockhampton and other cities and towns.

Judy Middlebrook is Secretary for the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs. (Craig Dukes is Secretary for the Inquiry itself.) She has told the ALB that although receipt of submissions has formally closed, the Inquiry still welcomes submissions until approximately April this year.

The Chair, Hon Lou Lieberman MP, noted that the Inquiry is complicated by a number of factors. A primary concern is that, while approximately 6,500 Torres Strait Islanders live in the Torres Strait Islands, roughly 21,000 live on the mainland. Issues likely to be discussed throughout the Inquiry include whether, and how, any arrangement made will apply to those on the mainland, and how to structure the use of available funds. The Torres Strait Regional Authority, the body currently responsible for administering the Torres Strait Islands, receives funds from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission.

It is anticipated that the Inquiry will table its report in the House of Representatives sometime between July-September 1997.

An information booklet about the Inquiry is available. Copies of the booklet, submissions and transcripts can be obtained, free of charge, by ringing [phone] (phone), or by writing to:

The Secretary
Standing Committee on Torres
Strait Islander Affairs House of Representatives CANBERRA ACT 2600