Following the lead: governance and policy challenges faced by past and present leaders

The Mabo Lecture has been delivered to the annual Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) conference – one of Australia’s largest Indigenous policy conferences –since 2001.

Early last month

Gur A Baradharaw Kod Torres Strait Sea and Land Council (GBK)

Chairperson Ned David made Mabo Lecture history as the first Torres Strait Island leader to deliver the speech.

The one-hour talk covered governance, leadership and policy challenges faced by past and present leaders of the Torres Strait region.

It was an opportunity to share traditional beliefs and contemporary practices with a national audience.

“Since before the arrival of the Church in the late 18th century we have always known that the seas and lands of the

Straits are our Godly inheritance,” he said.

“We have strong and continued spiritual and cultural customs we practice at the opening and closing of all GBK board meetings, community meetings, school parade and many other events with a prayer that acknowledges the Almighty higher power of Augud/God, present in our lives always.

“I want to celebrate and pay my respect to the five Meriam who made the original claim: Eddie Koiki Mabo, Reverend David Passi, Sam Passi, James Rice and Celuia Mapo Salee.

“As we know Eddie Koiki Mabo was the first named plaintiff, hence the name Mabo Decision.

“I just feel that we cannot thank them enough, based on the current complicated nature of the work now, it would not have been any different for them