Cape York Weekly FREE – #269 | Tuesday, February 10, 2026
Editorial: editor@capeyorkweekly.com.au|Advertising: sales@region.com.au
INSIDE TODAY
POLICE MANHUNT Page 2
Member for Cook David Kempton has met with the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council on the implications of illegal foreign fishing. Photo: Supplied.
Illegal vessel danger ‘underestimated’ LOCALS ALLEGEDLY THREATENED WITH FIREARMS
by CHISA HASEGAWA THE incursion of illegal foreign fishing in Torres Strait waters is “starting to sound more like an invasion”, according to Member for Cook David Kempton. After visiting the Northern Peninsula Area and meeting with its local council last week, Mr Kempton claimed he had received reports of locals being threatened with firearms. “With stories from locals of Indonesian fishing boats attempting to land on Mabuiag Island, navigating Jackey
Jackey Creek near Bamaga on the mainland, and occupants of the boat threatening locals with firearms from a vessel at Crab Island, it appears the Federal Government is underestimating the seriousness of the threat,” he said. “I have spoken to community leaders, locals, fishermen, and traditional owners, and the incursions of these illegal boats are not only widespread, they have been visiting our waters for years. “The arrival of these illegal fishing vessels is of considerable concern to local commu-
nities and fishermen who come into frequent contact with them, causing fear and insecurity.” Mr Kempton slammed the Federal Government’s response to the situation, and urged Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke to visit the region to see the scale of the problem firsthand. “The Federal Government is not prioritising the safety of Torres Strait Islanders and residents of Cape York because of their failure to fund these border security agencies adequately and build the
appropriate infrastructure to deter these threats,” he said. “The inability to prevent foreign vessels, from dinghies to larger vessels, travelling unchecked through our northern waters not only poses obvious risks to our national security in times of geopolitical instability, but it may facilitate the spread of diseases, plant and animal pests threatening local inhabitants and our primary industries and enable drug, firearm and people smuggling. – Continued page 2
NEW LEADER STEPS UP Page 3
AUSTRALIA DAY CELEBRATIONS Pages 8 & 9 RACING LEGEND REMEMBERED Page 18
NBA STAR INSPIRES YOUTH Page 19
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