Federal MPs visit ‘big catalyst fir change’ on Mornington Island
Two Federal Cabinet ministers will visit beleaguered Mornington Island this weekend, giving its “forgotten” people new hope.
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Two federal politicians will visit Mornington Island tomorrow, just weeks after The Courier-Mail exposed the crippling health issues facing the small Indigenous community.
Acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack and Indigenous Affairs Minister Ken Wyatt will spend just hours on the island, but Mayor Kyle Yanner said it could be the biggest catalyst for change they have seen in years.
More than half of the island population is facing chronic illness, one in 10 are homeless and one in four are out of work.
Mr McCormack and Mr Wyatt will arrive at the isolated Gulf island on Sunday morning and meet with the region’s Mayor, before leaving around 1.30pm.
Cr Yanner said he hoped the chance to display their struggles would spark necessary change.
“This has started change, I can smell it, I can feel it, I can even taste it,” he said.
“This is just the start of it and I’m hoping that a lot comes out of this one visit.”
“I hope we get the support, help and the services that we do need here on the island.”
Mr Wyatt accepted an invitation to visit the island from Kennedy MP Bob Katter after a meeting last week where the pair discussed the dire health issues on the island.
Cr Yanner said he would be showing his visitors some challenges the island faced, as well as a few “solutions” that meet the needs of both the community and the government.
He said the creation of a youth hub, market garden, ferry service and developing a tourism strategy would benefit Mornington Island economically.
“Out of this we want more jobs, we want economic development in a number of ways, we want to be more self-sufficient, more independent and more reliable.”
“We don’t want to be living off grants all our lives, we want to drive our own revenue and bring in our own income.”
He said the island needed improvements to service delivery and a way to bring down the high cost of living, asking for funding to create market gardens and beef yards to provide a local source of food and income.
“I make double and a bit of what the average community member earns and I’m struggling.”
“I’ve only got two children to feed, most families have at least two to six.”
Cr Yanner said it was “reassuring” to know the federal government listened to their calls for help, and were taking the time to come and see the struggles for themselves.
“I’m surprised how quickly they’ve reacted to this and how quickly they’re coming out.”
“All we want is better, longer, healthier lives.”
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