Minister Mark Bailey, Cook MP Cynthia Lui on $80m marine upgrade and of Cost of Living Summit
Remote Torres Strait communities suffering crippling cost of living pressures will meet on Thursday Island on Monday to discuss solutions, as the state government commits $80m to critical infrastructure for the region.
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Families and communities suffering under crippling cost of living pressures will be the focus of a summit on Thursday Island today, with many hoping the forum will lead to genuine relief for remote residents.
Ahead of the Cost of Living Summit, the state government announced an $80m joint commitment with the federal government to overhaul marine infrastructure across the Torres Strait, which it estimates will create up to 100 jobs and improve freight and passenger services.
The summit is expected to be attended by hundreds of people from across the region representing councils, government departments and agencies, businesses, not-for-profits, and communities in order to come up with solutions to assist those falling below the poverty line.
On Sunday Minister Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said marine improvement program was long overdue.
“It will provide modern, fit-for-purpose infrastructure that will not only improve safety but will be resilient to climate, and will help boost the region’s economy,” he said.
“The Strait is the community’s blue highway and we’re ensuring the jetties, wharves, and
boat ramps this community depends on keep locals moving safely.”
State MP for Cook Cynthia Lui said she was pleased to be co-chairing the summit with Mr Bailey, which will also be attended by Communities and Housing Minister Leeanne Enoch and Torres Strait Ministerial Champion and Queensland Attorney-General Shannon Fentiman.
Ms Lui said she wanted a level playing field for people living in remote areas.
“I have been advocating strongly on how we can better work with communities, there’s a huge difference between the Torres Strait and northern peninsula and other areas,” she said.
“It is a very real-time issue, I am hoping there will be subsidies or resources – we need to consider the cost of freight, which has been a huge financial hindrance that puts pressure on communities, possibly a freight subsidy to offset costs.
“That’s not to say the cost of living doesn’t affect everyone, but for more northern communities, there’s a vast difference.
“We’re talking about low socio-economic communities and affordability.”
But Peibre Clan senior elder and former chair of Mer (Murray) Island, Doug Bon said high costs across the Torres Strait were having a serious impact on families and he was unsure if the summit would really make a difference.
“I hope this is not another talk-talk, where no-one has the guts to fix things,” he said
Torres and Cape Indigenous Council Alliance executive director Melinda Eades said it is vital any summit decisions will also benefit other remote communities.
“We hope any commitments made which seek to address cost decisions will also benefit those across the Cape, lower Gulf and in remote Indigenous communities,” she said.
“Regional areas carry the freight cost burden.”
Ms Enoch said housing supply is an issue in the region due to challenges in securing building supplies and tradespeople.
Ms Fentiman said during recent visits, “it’s been clear the cost of living has been a major issue.”
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Originally published as Minister Mark Bailey, Cook MP Cynthia Lui on $80m marine upgrade and of Cost of Living Summit
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