06 NEWS
THURSDAY 8 JUNE 2023 TORRES NEWS
New housing org carries high hopes for better outcomes
ROUND TABLE – Elevating local and regional voices: (L–R) TSIRC Deputy Mayor Cr. Getano Lui Jnr OAM, Division 9 – Iama, Ambassador for First Nations People Justin Mohamed, TSRA Chairperson Napau Pedro Stephen AM, TSIRC Mayor Cr Phillemon Mosby, Torres Shire Council Mayor Cr. Yen Loban & GBK Chairperson Ned David. Pics supplied.
First visit by First Nations Ambassador to Torres Strait
The Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) welcomed Australia’s inaugural Ambassador for First Nations People Justin Mohamed on his first official visit to region last week. TSRA Chairperson Napau Pedro Stephen AM said the TSRA was proud to host Ambassador Mohamed during National Reconciliation Week and the Winds of Zenadth Cultural Festival on Waiben. “The visit elevates the importance of the Torres Strait region, our culture and our people on a national and international stage,” Mr Stephen said. “We trust the lasting memories of our vibrant culture, traditions, song and dance will help carry the voices and aspirations from our islands to the world.” As part of the three-day trip, Ambassador Mohamed visited local schools, Indigenous-owned businesses, non-government organisations and attended TOP: BRIGHT FUTURES – Tagai State College leaders (L–R) Mawai Whap, Tyrell Whap & Norethy Warria with Ambassador for First Nations People Justin Mohamed. BOTTOM: YOUNG LEADERS – Inspiring local students.
a regional roundtable with a range of community, local, state and federal representatives on Thursday last week. The Ambassador said the visit aimed to strengthen international ties for the region and understand Torres Strait perspectives on foreign policy. “It was a privilege to experience the Winds of Zenadth Cultural Festival and meet with elected representatives, cultural leaders and community members to hear directly from local people about their interests in foreign and trade policy,” he said. “Supporting the meaningful economic development and participation of First Nations peoples in the global system is one very important facet of my role as Ambassador for First Nations People.” Mr Mohamed was made Australia’s inaugural Ambassador for First Nations People by Foreign Minister Senator Penny Wong, Minister for Indigenous Australians
Linda Burney and Senator Patrick Dodson in March this year. He brings a strong connection to community to the role, having worked in Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal health, social justice and reconciliation over decades. He has been extensively involved in First Nations community-controlled sector, as well as working in government and the corporate sector. As Ambassador for First Nations People he was responsible for leading the Government’s efforts to embed Indigenous perspectives, experiences and interests across the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade, and develop a First Nations Foreign Policy Strategy. For more information visit www.dfat.gov.au/
international-relations/ themes/indigenous-peoples/ ambassador-first-nationspeople
NATSIHA CEO Ivan Simon, ATSIHQ Deputy Chair Angie Akee, ATSIHQ Chair Mary Doctor & ATSIHQ director Charles Martin. Pic supplied. Specialist research, policy and advocacy for First Nations housing was bought together under one roof last month, with the opening of a new office for the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Association – NATSIHA. The office in Sydney was opened with a launch attended by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and advocates from across the housing and homelessness sector. Waiben-based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Queensland director Charles Martin said NATSIHA would enable a unified First Nations voice to the Federal government. “It’s a very useful organisation and it’s trying to bring together all the stakeholders in the states so they can be united into a national voice,” he said. “So as a body NATSIHA, can try and help solve housing problems throughout the country.” NATSIHA CEO Ivan Simon said they were determined to power progress on First Nations housing. “There is an enormous challenge ahead of us but NATSIHA is determined to bring solutions to the The 2021 Census showed 24,930 Aboriginal and/ or Torres Strait Islander people were estimated to be experiencing homelessness, up 6.4 per cent from 23,437 in 2016. This represents one
table,” he said. “Housing is at the centre of our lives, and we have an enormous challenge ahead of us to bring solutions to the key challenges of lack of supply of affordable housing and severe overcrowding. “We are here for the long haul.” Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney said access to safe and affordable housing was crucial to the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. “It affects so many other outcomes, like health, education and family safety,” she said. “I congratulate NATSIHA on the opening of their office and look forward to working with them in future.” NASTIHA Chief Operating Officer Rob Macfarlane said the establishment of NATSIHA brought together some of the most passionate and committed advocates and practitioners in First Nations housing into one organisation. “We know that a critical part of the solution to the appalling housing disadvantage our people are experiencing is to build the capacity of the community controlled sector that understands and knows how to best meet our community’s needs,” he said.
in five (20.4 per cent) people experiencing homelessness in Australia. Of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experiencing homelessness at the time of the 2021 Census: • Three in five (60.0 per cent) were
living in ‘severely’ crowded dwellings • Almost one in five (19.1 per cent) were in supported accommodation for the homeless • Nearly one in ten (9.3 per cent) were living in improvised dwellings, tents, or sleeping out.
Treaty act sets in motion long awaited change for Queensland Queensland’s Path to Treaty Act 2023 – underpinned by the UN Declaration to the Rights of Indigenous Peoples – was passed into law by the Queensland Parliament sitting in Cairns early last month. The Act specified key bodies to be appointed to progress the Queensland truth telling and healing process and to prepare community for treaty-readiness. The Interim truth and Treaty Body (ITTB) was integral in the drafting of the Act, which received bipartisan support. Minister for Treaty Leeanne Enoch said she was “absolutely determined” to help guide Queensland through the truth and treaty process. A key focus for the ITTB was
to lead the establishment of a First Nations Treaty Institute, which was informed by consultation with community groups and key stakeholders from across the State, over the past several months. The ITTB would also support Queensland Government to establish the Truth Telling and Healing Inquiry. The Institute and the Inquiry will guide Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the Queensland Government in working together towards truth telling, and ultimately treaty negotiations. For more information on the key structures that will progress Truth and Treaty in Queensland, visit the ITTB website at www.truthandtreatyqld.org.au
