Autonomy 'achieveable by 2012'

Monday, 17 August 2009 08:48

By MARK BOUSEN

Autonomy is realistically achievable by 2012, according to Father Getano Lui Jnr, spokesman for the People’s Movement for Torres Strait Autonomy.

Rally for Torres Strait autonomy outside the Pacific Leaders Forum in Cairns.

Speaking at a public rally outside the Pacific Island Leaders Forum in Cairns on Wednesday, August 5, Father Lui said: "The homework is done, the mechanics are in place; all we have to do is resurrect the documents and away we go."

The new Territory will be called Zenadth Kes.

About 30 people attended the rally in support of the Torres Strait delegation, while other delegations representing Freedom for Fiji and West Papua took part, as did a group protesting over the Cape York Wild Rivers legislation.

Father Lui said: "It requires only the political will of the government to do it.

"The delays in the past are due only to the lack of political will of successive governments."

Father Lui says 2012 is definitely obtainable.

If given the "green light", the new structure would involve overhauling the TSRA to which all the representatives would be elected.

That varies from current structure where the only elected representatives are for Port Kennedy, Horn Island/Prince of Wales and TRAWQ.

The remainder are appointed by the relevant Federal Minister.

"We would then separate the local government issues of the Torres Shire Council and the Torres Strait Islands Regional Council from those of the TSRA.

"One regional assembly would be elected ultimately, with all the organisations incorporated under that."

Father Lui says all the "really, big hard stuff" can be carried out by this time.

Funding would come from the Federal Government.

"Under the United Nations’ charter, the sovereign state must assist. As well, Native Title would cease to exist once autonomy is achieved."

Father Lui says the Torres Strait people are a minority within a minority.

"With our Aboriginal brothers and sisters on the mainland, we are a minority within a minority; we seek our rights as a nation within a nation.

"No one should dictate to us the policies that apply in the Torres Strait; self-management in the past has been taken away from us.

"We’re claiming our rights to self-government and we will no longer be treated as a minority but as an emerging nation within a nation."

Father Lui said the Movement had met with the PNG delegation attending the Forum.

"They equate our struggle with that of PNG’s fight for independence from Australia."

Father Lui said a Zenadth Kes Territory would regulate the movement of bureaucrats and government officers to the region.

"During my time, there has been a free flow of government officials. There have been two types:

"Those who are dedicated to the cause of the people of the Torres Strait and are quickly transferred out; and

"Those who are self-serving and stay and then create their own, little enclave."

Father Lui said the people’s movement gives the issue more authority. "The only effective way to drive the issue is to have a people’s movement."