Questions over Summit funds packages

Several new funding announcements were made by the Queensland Government during and after the recent Torres Strait Islands and Northern Peninsula Cost of Living Summit, some of which are “uncertain” and/or need clarifying, Torres Strait Island Regional Council Mayor Phillemon Mosby says.

Stakeholders from across the Torres Strait, Northern Peninsula Area and broader Cape and Gulf communities took part in the Summit, which identified several complex challenges faced by residents.

Two funding packages announced by the government - $64m freight funding package for the Northern Peninsula, Torres Strait, Cape York and Gulf

Regions, and $80m in joint State & Federal funding for marine infrastructure – were under scrutiny by local leaders, who have fought hard and long for the funds, Cr Mosby said.

“While we welcome that investment into the region, there’s a lot of things that are really uncertain or need a lot of clarity around,” he said.

“I’m really interested to know about the methodology, how they’re going to work that out.”

He said there were questions about the benefits to consumers.

“While it may look like big money, when you spread it across the Torres Strait and further west, people in communities say, ‘where’s that money going to go?’

“If Torres Strait is going to get their share out of the freight subsidy, how are they going to deliver that – pass it down to the consumer, or is it going to go directly to the freight companies or the shops? What we need in the Torres Strait is competition.”

Local MP, and co-chair of the Summit, Cynthia Lui said the work they had to do included engagement with community to identify the most targeted options to ensure the benefits are felt at the community level.

“There are details that are yet to be finalised in terms of how these new programs will be implemented,” she said.

“I am looking forward to continuing to work with community to identify the best pathways forward, to ensure the benefits are realised at the individual and community level.”

She also said Summit co-chair and Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mark Bailey was, “working through the mechanisms by which the [freight] subsidy package will be delivered, to ensure it is for the benefit of people living in these remote FNQ communities”.

“This work includes engagement with community to identify the most targeted options to ensure the benefits are felt at the community level,” she said.

Cr Mosby said they were also concerned about the money for marine infrastructure.

“They matched the $40 million with the Commonwealth,” he said. “[Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government]

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