Thursday, 15 September 2022
Stories and events of the Kaurareg homeland of Kaiwalagal, the Torres Strait homeland and Cape York homelands of the Anggamuthi, Atambaya, Wuthathi, Yadhaykenu and Gudang Peoples.
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New funds to support youth New State Government funds will support the Waiben Community Justice Group (CJG) to work with young Torres Strait Islanders engaged in the justice system. Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Minister for Women, and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic & Family Violence Shannon Fentiman said extra funding in this year’s budget was to support community specific activities across Thursday Island and surrounds, including activities at Zenadth Kes Boxing Club. In total the Government has provided almost $360,000 per year to the Thursday Island CJG to deliver court support, enhance domestic and family violence support measures, and towards community specific activities. “This includes more than $80,000 in extra funding to run the Zenadth Kes Boxing Club program, as well as youth
IN THE RING: Zenadth Kes Boxing Club Head Trainer Ryan Shibasaki with Chase, Jai & AttorneyGeneral & Minister for Justice Shannon Fentiman. Pic supplied. camps that educate young people in connecting to country and cultural practices, healthy lifestyles and learning about domestic and family violence
prevention,” she said. “It was wonderful to see the Justice Group recognised for their work earlier this year, receiving an Australia Day Award from the
Torres Shire Council for their successful boxing club program that has shown great results in crime prevention and the health and wellbeing of its participants.”
She said the funding aimed at keeping young people out of the justice system would also be used in other ways. “For people of all ages who have engaged with the justice system, there will also be ongoing support,” she said. “The Justice Group also runs the Offender Support Program to build relationships with those who are in custody to assist with their rehabilitation and reintegration back into the community. “Community Justice Groups provide invaluable support for Frist Nations people who come into contact with our justice system. “And our Thursday Island Group has been doing fantastic work running community programs targeting young people in the Torres Strait with the aim of reducing the over representation of First Nations people in the criminal justice system.”
Promised cost of living summit to go ahead Local MP Cynthia Lui has confirmed the State Government will hold a cost of living summit in the Torres Strait, promised to be held within the next three months, to look at tackling regional issues. Dates and agendas are yet to be set, but Ms Lui said Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk indicated her
primary concern was rapidly escalating prices for essential food products, understood to be partly due to freight costs. “This summit will provide another opportunity for community members in the region to voice their concerns about cost-of-living directly to Government,” Ms Lui said. “The fact that our Government will return to
the Torres Strait and continue engaging with local issues is a great step in the right direction. “There’s just nothing like being there in person, witnessing conditions in plain view, and connecting directly with the locals.” Ms Lui said the summit would work on strategies to ease the pressure of ‘astronomically high’ food
prices and tackle other problems local residents faced in the region. Torres Shire Mayor Yen Loban said the Queensland Cabinet were welcomed to the Torres Shire earlier this month when the Coucnil hosted a meeting between the Premier, Deputy Premier Steven Miles and Ms Lui, at the Council Chambers. “The need for a renewed
and collaborative approach between the Queensland and Local Government were seen as critical to successfully addressing pressing issues that included high cost of living, housing and the development of the region,” he said. “On behalf of Council and our Shire I want to express our delight in the Premier not only carefully listening to us,
but in announcing a regional summit within three months. “At last we can come together and address the problems confronting us, not only in the Shire but the region, including a housing crisis, the high cost of living pressures and many more issues.” See Pages 2 & 12 for more
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