"The publication of the discussion paper will allow sufficient time for everyone to comment and allow enough time for the final report to be completed by the deadline of the end of July."

The Commissioner was on what he described as a fact-finding mission to the Torres Strait.

Mr Calma said the another real point of interest was the national Human Rights Act.

"I have been informing people about the importance of the act. There’ll be consultations in Torres Strait in May when the community will have the opportunity to share their views on the act as individuals and communities.

"There is a lot of material available on the issue and I encourage everyone to think about it, not only Indigenous people but all people in Australia.

"Australia is the only western democracy in the world which doesn’t doesn’t have human rights legislation."

Mr Calma was invited by Prescribed Body Corporate (PBC) groups prior to this week’s significant meeting at Badu.

"I’ve been invited in past, but I’ve been able to come this time and have met with the PBCs and with the Mer people particularly on the school issue, TSIRC, TSRA and the Torres Shire Council.

"The visit provided the opportunity to share some of developments on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues and what is happening internationally."

As the Social Justice Commissioner, Mr Calma has to report each year to the Federal Parliament, on both state and federal programs.

"I think generally speaking with people in the street and colleagues I’ve known over the years during this visit, the people are feeling the pressure of the lack of clarity with some of the major agencies.

"People have lost control of their lives and communities, and some felt that included the amalgamation of the former Island councils.

"I have discussions about the roles of the TSRA, TSIRC and the Shire Council and what level of support they can provide for the people in the street and the broader community when dealing with the agencies.

"A lot of work has been done in that regard but that can also be improved."

Mr Calma said other issues included Native Title, the approaching sea claim and compensation.

"There are many complex issues in the Torres Strait including the Treaty; what’s happening in the sea claim; operations of the PBCs although some of the issues in that regard will be clarified this week.

"Bodies suffer from a lack of funding. The TSRA funds the PBCs in the Torres Strait but that doesn’t happen anywhere else in the rest of Australia.

"People who understand their life situation and their tribal group make for a much-more productive future."