Torres Strait Islanders say they’re feeling isolated and ‘left in the dark’ by authorities after a recent spate of illegal activities has left them worried for their lives.
Some say there are growing concerns that increased economic pressures in the region, including across the border in Papua New Guinea (PNG), are increasing illegal fishing, drug trade, theft and people smuggling.
While these types of crimes are not new, residents say it has come to a tipping point and they’re renewing calls to governments for help.
Meanwhile, on Saibai Island, just 4 kilometres from PNG border, a $13 million dollar government facility built in 2020 remains largely unmanned.
For the safety of community members who shared their experiences, NITV has opted to allow anonymity.
A Saibai community member said they had a ‘traumatising’ experience in January this year when they confronted Papua New Guineans they saw illegally fishing on Saibai.
“We asked him to move because they can't be there, we don't consent for them to be there, they’re not approved,” they said.
“We were basically attacked with machetes and we [were] in fear for [our] life.”
Machetes and spears are common tools used by fisherman, but locals say during confrontations visitors have wielded them as weapons.
Locals photograph Papua New Guinea People illegally fishing at the back of Saibai Credit: Supplied
“We've had one boat stolen the day after there was a Joint Border Patrol on Saibai – the very next day – a community member's boat got stolen right from in front of his beach front landing,” they said.
“We've been left in the dark, this has been going on for years where there's no sign of turtle and dugong on our hunting grounds.
“These activities used to only happen during the night, now no-one hides anymore.”
The community member said the incident was reported on the day but a convoy of Australian Federal Police (AFP), Queensland Police Service (QPS), Australia Border Force (ABF) and officials from PNG attended one week later.
Saibai locals say illegal camps are becoming common on Saibai Credit: Supplied
The links underpin the sacrosanct Torres Strait Treaty between the two countries that allows ‘free movement’ for traditional purposes.
To move throughout the waters of the Protected Zone in the Torres Strait, Papua New Guinean peoples do not require a passport, but are required to complete a formal process called ‘prior consent’.
Getano Lui Jr. AM is deputy chair of the bilateral Traditional Inhabitants Committee and says he’s the last surviving Elder who helped form and establish the treaty in 1978.
Mr Getano Lui Jnr AM doesn’t want the Torres strait to be used as a ‘buffer zone’ for the mainland Credit: Supplied
“You can appreciate why people are coming across to Australia,” he said.
“If it's for food for your children and your families, then you will do anything to do that.”
Tides of change
Mr Lui said it was sad to see the ‘free movement’ was being abused, and such activities aren’t in the ‘spirit’ of the Treaty.
“You have this generation coming and doing things that are totally inconsistent with the traditional way of life that we both enjoyed in the past,” he said.
“We need to start doing something on our side to ensure that what people do within, is in the true spirit of the treaty.”
“It's getting to the stage that it is putting our safety at risk.”
Mr Lui said he’s concerned ‘outsiders’ who weren’t from the traditional familial PNG villages were ‘infiltrating’ communities and instigating crime.
NITV has heard from several sources across the region that criminal activity is increasing and that safety for residents is a shared concern.
Torres Strait Protected Zone Credit: Supplied, Australian Government
The AFP said they worked with the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary to intercept 5 kilograms of methamphetamine on its way to Bamaga in the Northern Peninsula Area (NPA).
The AFP confirmed there were ongoing enquiries into the syndicate and the potential that Australians were involved.
Authorities bust drug syndicate bringing methamphetamine to Australia Credit: Supplied, AFP
Community members said one tried to force themselves into the resident's home before they were stopped.
“How they behaved, it was very concerning, it's scary … [they had] impulsive behaviour.”
Community members say after water police removed the three people, nothing was seen or heard from authorities on the matter again, leaving them living in fear.
In a statement to NITV, the ABF confirmed the individuals returned to China voluntarily.
A spokesperson for the ABF said it maintains a ‘strong presence’ in the Torres Strait.
“ABF’s presence in the region also comprises maritime, land and air surveillance, including ships, fast response boats, helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.”
“The ABF conducts Joint Cross Border Patrols (JCBP) with PNG border and law enforcement authorities several times each year.”
Calls for help as government sleeps on $13 million dollar building
Saibai Island Community Safety and Security Facility Credit: Stefan Armbruster
A spokesperson for the QPS said there are 27 full time Torres Strait Island Police Liaison Officers (TSIPLO’s) based across the region, who can report crimes but cannot make arrests, carry a weapon or confiscate illegal items.
A number of police officers with powers are based on Waiben (34), Horn Island (2) and the Northern Peninsula Area (10).
“The Top Western Islands is patrolled (by QPS) for seven days on a rotational basis.”
However, a $13 million dollar building in Saibai, completed in 2020, remains largely unmanned.
The high-tech security post was intended as a multi-agency facility to bring the AFP and ABF staff closer to the isolated outer islands.
Authorities confirmed visiting the building during patrols but to-date just two TSIPLO’s occupy the building full time.
Border Monitoring Officers based on the outer islands, employed by Border Force, also only have the ability to report crime.
Mr Lui said there had long been calls to train local people to have enforcement powers.
“It's a bit like when the cat's away, the mice will play,” he said.
“If we're not around, enforcing the laws, then people will use that to their advantage.
“Give us the proper compliance powers for our men and women who are frontline with Border Force, with biosecurity with all of the other arrangements that you have.
“By protecting our communities, we protect Australia.”
