NEWS 03
TORRES NEWS THURSDAY 15 JUNE 2023
Test flight results in with CASA BY CHRISTINE HOWES A re-start to passenger flights in and out of Mabuiag and Darnley Islands should be imminent after several test flights were undertaken earlier this week, Skytrans CEO Alan Milne says. “We are carrying out our test flying,” he said. “Hopefully they will be able to give us an approval to re-start operations into Mabuiag and Darnley shortly after that.” Shadow Minister for Northern Australia, Senator Susan McDonald has called on Federal Transport Minister Catherine King to fast-track planned upgrades for Torres Strait airstrips. “CASA made a questionable decision
Ground crew with Fleet Manager Captain Harry Hawkins at Darnley Airport on Tuesday morning’s test flight. Pic thanks to Skytrans. to close these strips and offered no alternatives for people needing to travel and they are forced to use boats,” she said. “CASA must provide an exemption to allow air travel to restart to and from these islands before there is another tragedy.” A CASA spokesperson said they
were working closely with the airline. “CASA is working closely with Skytrans on demonstration flights aimed at the potential resumption of services to Mabuiag and Darnley islands,” they said. “We will review information from the flights when it becomes available - we know how
important air services are in the region and we are committed to working with operators and the airports to ensure flights can resume safely as soon as possible. “Every CASA decision is made with the safety of passengers in mind. “We are reviewing
options in the context of the unique environment in the Torres Strait Islands against international safety criteria for passenger transport and to find a safe solution.” CASA said operators must have permission from them to fly into shorter runways that don’t meet regulations set by manufacturers. “When we consider the application, we look at pilot training, limitations on weather and other things,” they said. “The operator needs to provide us with information about how they can fly into that location safely.” Mr Milne said the test flights were successful. “We are collating the results and will submit to CASA ASAP,” he said.
Smith to take lead Native Title role Former National Native Title Council (NNTC) Chair and Deputy Chair and Queensland South Native Title Services (QSNTS) CEO Kevin Smith (pictured) has been named the first Indigenous President of the National Native Title Tribunal (NNTT) by Attorney General Mark Dreyfus. Mr Smith has three decades of professional experience in Indigenous Affairs and is a Native Title holder. “I warmly congratulate my colleague and former deputy chair on his appointment,” NNTC chair Kado Muir said. “This is a momentous occasion for Australia and for our native title community, as a highly regarded, well respected professional Indigenous mind takes over the reins of this significant national institution.” “A loss for ‘our side’ but a gain for the wider community, as we can look forward with
confidence that the Native Title sector will be guided by very capable, diligent and safe hands.” NNTC CEO, Jamie Lowe agreed. “Kevin has worked through the ranks in the Native Title sector and knows the system fundamentally back to front,” he said. “To have someone who is a lawyer, a highly experienced senior executive within the native title sector, highly
respected by First Nations communities with an innate cultural understanding, heralds an exciting future for native title.” QSNTS deputy chair Bradley Saunders also congratulated Mr Smith. “Under Kevin’s visionary guidance, QSNTS has provided excellent service to its constitutes and developed a suite of services that will continue to assist First Nations Peoples to achieve more positive native title outcomes and to look after their Native Title for the benefit of future generations,” he said. “While QSNTS will miss Kevin we are confident that with the foundations he has put in place, the organisation will continue to grow and assist its constituents on their native title journey.” Qualified in both law and legal management from the
University of Queensland, Kevin was admitted as a solicitor in 1994. Mr Smith has contributed significantly to the development of law and policy as a member of Expert Technical Advisory Groups on reform of the Native Title Act and the national legislative response to strengthen the protection of Indigenous Cultural Heritage following the Jukkan Gorge outrage. He has held senior positions with the National Secretariat of Torres Strait Islander Organisations, the Brisbane Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service, the National Native Title Tribunal and Aboriginal Hostels Limited. He holds traditional connections to Ugar (Stephen Island) and Erub (Darnley Island). Pic by Gemima Harvey.
ART AWARD OPENING 2 NOVEMBER 2023 Share in over $37,000 worth of prizes
ENTRIES NOW OPEN Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal artists living in the Northern Peninsula Area and Torres Strait region are invited to submit their artworks (created in the last 12-months) for a chance to share in over $37,000 worth of prizes. Terms and conditions apply. For more information about the 2023 Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award, please contact Leitha Assan: 07 4069 0888 | leitha.assan@tsra.gov.au
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*Pictures shown are for illustration purpose only. Actual product may vary due to product enhancement.
