Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs - Thursday Island, QLD — hearing of 31 July 2026: transcript & video · Polyfact

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Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs - Thursday Island, QLD

30 July 2026

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Contents updated on 21 Oct 2026

The chair opens the hearing on racism and violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, sets out procedural rules, and introduces Torres Strait Regional Authority witnesses, who outline TSRA’s mandate, extreme remoteness, and systemic racism embedded in policies and service delivery, complemented by an elder’s historical account of Mabo, self‑determination and demands for greater policy control.

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Hearing opening and TSRA introductory statements

21:47

Hearing opening, acknowledgement and prayer

21:47

TSRA witnesses introduced and procedural cautions

24:42

TSRA opening – remoteness, systemic racism, service failures

27:17

Elder Louis – history, autonomy, Mabo and self‑determination

32:09

TSRA scrutiny – self‑determination, services and systemic racism

44:51

Senator Thorpe Q&A – TSRA’s status, community control and essential services

44:51

Deputy Chair and Gee – TSRA programs, online racism, freight and employment ceiling

01:05:38

Smith and TSRA – climate change, court case and seawall funding inequities

01:16:27

Local councils panel – structural racism, funding and autonomy

01:23:12

Chair closes TSRA session and calls councils panel

01:23:12

NPARC opening – culture, racism, AMPs, freight and housing crisis

01:36:18

Torres Shire and TSIRC openings – structural racism, funding models and autonomy

01:45:05

Councils Q&A – housing carve‑outs, food security, Masig Statement and decolonisation

02:09:18

Professor Mills – colonialism, health impacts and failed reforms

03:17:02

Professor Mills opening – colonialism, health genocide and administrative burden

03:17:02

Professor Mills Q&A – racism, Closing the Gap and dismantling the Torres Model of Care

03:26:25

Kaurareg testimony, Treaty exclusion and hearing close

04:01:14

Kaurareg cultural adviser – dispossession, exclusion from Treaty structures and TSRA

04:01:14

Closing remarks and adjournment of the hearing

04:18:17

Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs - Thursday Island, QLD

30 July 2026

Joint Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Fri, 31 Jul 2026 Australian Parliament

21:47 - 22:01

Speaker 11

Open the public hearing the joint standing committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Affairs for the inquiry into racism, hate, violence toward Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Before we kick off into official proceedings, I'll hand over to mister Smith.

22:01 - 22:41

Speaker 14

Thank you, chair. I'd like to acknowledge the traditional owners, the land which we meet today. This will obviously be inquiry country, And thank you all, BGSO, for joining us on The Mat today and the importance that The Mat has in Torres Strait Islander culture as you were born on The Mat and you will leave on The Mat. And it is all... The important decisions are, of course, held upon the mat.

So I acknowledge the importance of the mats being here today. I also wish to pay respects. I know there is a lot of sorry business in community at the moment, and we really appreciate the opportunity to still be here today to have this really important hearing. I would now like to throw over to you, Uncle, for an opening prayer, if I may.

22:53 - 23:23

Speaker 4

Oh, lord, grant us the sinnerity, tranquility, the peace of mind to accept the things we cannot change, courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Lord, we thank you for this day, Lord, for this hearing, Lord, that your holy spirit will be with us. Guide and strengthen us during our deliberations, Lord, for the benefit of our people and the nation of Torres Strait, Xenath Kes. We thank you, Lord. Bless the members that are here today.

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