The Torres Strait: Bridge and Border

26 November 2010

© Commonwealth of Australia 2010
ISBN 978-1-74229-295-3

View the report as a single document - (PDF 8244KB)

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View the report as separate downloadable parts:

Members of the committee	(PDF 7KB)
Index of maps, tables and images	(PDF 8KB)
Maps and illustrations Tables Photographs
Abbreviations	(PDF 11KB)
Executive summary and recommendations	(PDF 33KB)
Provision of health services Australia’s development assistance to Western Province Policing in the Torres Strait Conservation and biosecurity, community management plans and community involvement in protecting the environment and in sustainable management Border protection Climate change Commercial fishing in the Torres Strait Governance, consultation and service delivery Consultative mechanisms under the Treaty Commonwealth responsibilities—infrastructure and waste management
Chapter 1 - Introduction and conduct of inquiry	(PDF 332KB)
Referral of inquiry Terms of reference Conduct of inquiry Visit to the Torres Strait Related inquiries Scope of inquiry Structure of report Acknowledgments
Chapter 2 - Torres Strait and the Treaty	(PDF 585KB)
Torres Strait and its people Figure 2.1: Map of the Torres Strait Torres Strait Islanders—way of life Torres Strait Treaty Territorial boundaries Territorial sea and fishing boundaries Protecting the traditional way of life Protecting the environment Promoting economic development Complexity of the Treaty Views on the Treaty
Chapter 3 - Health service provision in the Torres Strait	(PDF 185KB)
Access to health services under the Treaty Concerns about PNG nationals accessing health services in the Torres Strait Incentives for seeking medical care in the Torres Strait Disparity in available health services Accessibility to Torres Strait health clinics Provision of humanitarian assistance Figure 3.1: PNG villages and proximity to the Torres Strait Perceived access to social welfare Conclusion
Chapter 4 - Addressing health issues in Torres Strait	(PDF 112KB)
Health challenges in PNG Health initiatives for Western Province Twinning arrangements Cross-border movement of health professionals Cross-border communication officers Effectiveness of Australia's aid
Chapter 5 - Health and border control measures	(PDF 74KB)
Key border control measures Providing health care and mixed messages Cost of health care to PNG nationals in Torres Strait Table 5.1: Estimated cost to Queensland Health for treatment of PNG nationals, 2004‑2009 Collecting data
Chapter 6 - Law and order	(PDF 1396KB)
Movements across the border Overstayers Disorderly behaviour
Chapter 7 - Addressing law and order challenges	(PDF 45KB)
Understanding local laws and community expectations Restricting free movement Table 7.1: Traditional Movements (1 July –31 May 2010) Table 7.2: Refused Immigration Clearances (1 July to 31 May 2010) Identification of PNG traditional inhabitants
Chapter 8 - Policing the Torres Strait	(PDF 448KB)
Police presence in the Torres Strait Adequacy of police presence Costs of providing police presence Community police Conclusion
Chapter 9 - Conservation	(PDF 90KB)
Protected species in Torres Strait Management of fisheries in Torres Strait
Chapter 10 - Conservation—meeting the challenges	(PDF 96KB)
Sustainable management––Australia's role Community engagement Sustainable management—PNG's role Research on the Torres Strait Compliance and enforcement Conclusion
Chapter 11 - Biosecurity	(PDF 330KB)
Biosecurity in Torres Strait Figure 11.1: Quarantine poster—risks from illegal fishing vessels Increased risk Conclusion
Chapter 12 - Strengthening Australia's biosecurity	(PDF 1606KB)
Australia's quarantine and biosecurity arrangements Pre-border measures Figure 12.1: Quarantine zones in the Torres Strait Figure 12.2: Quarantine poster—products that cannot be moved around the Torres Strait At the border—enforcement Post-border activities Working with Queensland quarantine Pollution from vessels Conclusion
Chapter 13 - Border Protection	(PDF 1398KB)
Main security risks Securing Australia's border in the Torres Strait Intelligence gathering Surveillance, detection and interception Australia–PNG collaboration Uncharted waters Cooperation between enforcement agencies Socio-economic factors in Western Province Climate change and border control Conclusion
Chapter 14 - Climate change	(PDF 1178KB)
Immediate problems Long-term issues
Chapter 15 - Sustainable development and commercial enterprise	(PDF 103KB)
Promoting economic development under the Treaty Torres Strait Protected Zone Joint Authority Conclusion
Chapter 16 - Torres Strait Governance	(PDF 76KB)
Whole-of-government and agency cooperation Local government Traditional Inhabitants Local views on the consultative framework PNG and Australia working collaboratively Conclusion
Chapter 17 - Support for the Treaty	(PDF 43KB)
Views on the Treaty
Chapter 18 - Extent of Commonwealth responsibilities	(PDF 39KB)
Commonwealth and local council responsibilities Non Treaty villages Conclusion
Chapter 19 - Conclusion	(PDF 32KB)
Provision of health services Australia’s development assistance to Western Province Policing in the Torres Strait Conservation and biosecurity, community management plans and community involvement in protecting the environment and in sustainable management Border protection Climate change Commercial fishing in the Torres Strait Governance, consultation and service delivery Consultative mechanisms under the Treaty Commonwealth responsibilities—infrastructure and waste management
Appendix 1 - Public submissions	(PDF 6KB)
Appendix 2 - Public hearings and witnesses	(PDF 15KB)
Appendix 3 - Tabled documents, answers to questions on notice and additional information	(PDF 13KB)
Appendix 4 - Selected recommendations from previous parliamentary reports	(PDF 13KB)
Appendix 5 - Australian Treaty Series	(PDF 74KB)

For further information, contact:

Department of the Senate
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Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia

Phone:	+61 2 6277 3535
Fax:	+61 2 6277 5818
Email:	fadt.sen@aph.gov.au