Acting PM Michael McCormack visits Mornington Island

The federal government is considering a range of ideas in a bid to fix the “very stark” challenges facing Mornington Island residents in the state’s far north.

A market garden and cattle stations will be among ideas considered by the federal government in a bid to fix the dire challenges facing Mornington Island in the state’s far north.

Acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack and Indigenous Australians Minister Ken Wyatt visited the remote Gulf community on Sunday, where they met with local Mayor Kyle Yanner.

In an interview with The Courier-Mail, Mr McCormack said the island had great potential, but also described what he had encountered as “very stark” – pointing to challenges such as overcrowded housing.

“(The community) wants to ensure that there’s prospects for jobs and a prospect for making this community realise its potential,” he said.

“It’s potential is large and I’ve really been impressed with what I’ve seen here today.

Acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack has visited Mornington Island in the state’s far north.

“Certainly Ken and I, when we go back to Canberra this week, we will be discussing with our colleagues as to how best to help Kyle and his community.

“I’m a regional member myself. I will never forget anybody who belongs anywhere in the country – particularly these remote areas.”

Mr McCormack said he had also recently met with Cr Yanner when the Mayor visited Canberra in recent weeks.

“So many people come to Canberra with a problem, but this fellow came to Canberra with not just some issues – but also some resolutions and some solutions as to how we might help the island community fix them,” the Acting Prime Minister said.

“So that was very powerful for me.”

Acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack says he will consider some of the ideas put forward by the Mornington Island community.

Mr Wyatt described proposals such as a market garden and cattle stations for the island as “worthy of consideration”.

“What the council and community have done, (they) have talked about what is needed here to make an incredible difference,” he said.

“Not only for the current age group – they’re planning for the future for their grandchildren.

“We’re considering a whole raft of solutions that have been offered by Kyle.”

Mr McCormack also confirmed the government would look at subsidising freight charges to the island.

“These are things which the state governments can help with,” he said.

“I’ll be certainly looking at the infrastructure needs and what we can do in the short term – but what … we can do on a longer term basis.”

Cr Yanner said he believed his community was on the right track.

“I can feel it – that this is the start of a good change,” he said after meeting with the Federal Cabinet Ministers.

“Like I said – it’s not an overnight fix. This is something that has been happening for years now.”