Torres News Thursday, 7 April 2022
Stories and events of the Kaurareg homeland of Kaiwalagal, the Torres Strait homeland and Cape York homelands of the Anggamuthi, Atambaya, Wuthathi, Yadhaykenu and Gudang Peoples.
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Our climate change future is here The Boigu Island community is now better protected from rising sea levels and severe weather events after the completion of a one kilometre long seawall and other works to mitigate coastal inundation.
BOIGU ISLAND SEAWALL MAIN PIC: Before seawallworks. INSET: Completed seawall. Pics supplied.
But are our other communities safe? Continued P3
Historic case brings Land Court to Torres Straits A landmark climate change court case will hear evidence from the Torres Straits next month, in a historic human rights challenge to Warratah Coal’s Galilee Coal Project, planned for south west of Townsville. The name of the matter is Waratah Coal Pty Ltd v Youth Verdict Ltd & Ors and the Land Court of Queensland will travel to the Torres Strait in May to hear first-hand from witnesses about how climate change is impacting
their lives, and what will be lost if new coal mines continue to be approved. Youth Verdict First Nations Lead and Co-director Murrawah Johnson said they will argue that if approved Waratah’s Galilee Coal Project will contribute to worsening climate change, which is already impacting the human rights of First Nations people. She said the lived reality of people experiencing the impacts of climate change right now was at the forefront
of the hearing. “First Nations people know what’s best for Country and our futures,” she said. “Bringing the Land Court to First Nations peoples for the first time to receive their evidence, and that process taking lead from First Nations cultural protocols, is monumental.” Environmental Defenders Office (EDO) Managing Lawyer Sean Ryan said the hearing would shine “an appropriate spotlight on the current and imminent
Proudly delivering essential services to Cape York and the Torres Strait in for 35 years!
impacts of climate change on Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples”. “This court order sets a new high-water mark for respecting Aboriginal & Torres Strait culture in the Court’s processes” he said. “This is an important step towards justice for First Nations peoples and provides a safer and fairer system for these First Nations witnesses to be heard in this Court and on their terms. “EDO is proud that this innovative case centres First
Nations rights, law and protocols in a decision about Queensland’s environment.” Youth Verdict’s First Nations-led case was the first time a coal mine has been challenged on human rights grounds in Australia. They said it was a direct result of Queensland human rights legislation which allowed Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples to take legal action to preserve and protect their cultures and future.
youth verdict: Murrawah Johnson. Pic Nathan Gibson.