David Kempton the Member for Cook has been very vocal about the incursion of foreign illegal fishing vessels in the Torres Strait for some time.
Last week, Mr Kempton travelled to Thursday Island with the Minister for Primary Industries, Tony Perrett and Deputy Director-General and Chief Biosecurity Queensland Officer Dr Rachel Chay to meet with Torres Strait Regional Authority Chairman George Nona, Torres Strait Island Regional Council Mayor Philemon Mosby and Torres Strait Island Council Mayor Elsie Seriat, the CEOs, ADF and QPS and others.
Mr Kempton and the Minister also met with the Federal Minister Julian Hill, Matt Smith, and ABF to discuss a joint response.
Border security is a complex issue, as our nearest neighbour is only kilometres away and there is no clear demarcation due to the number of islands, many of which are not populated and the vast areas of water to cover.
As the sightings of illegal fishing boats from Indonesia into Australian waters continue to escalate, it is becoming increasingly obvious that a new strategy is required to deal with the threat. Our leaking border not only threatens our fishing industry by depleting stocks through unregulated practices, but there are mounting biosecurity risks to our primary industries from screw worm fly, lumpy skin and foot-and-mouth disease, etc., and further threats to the human population from malaria, tuberculosis and arboviruses and so on. There is transport of illegal drugs, firearms and human trafficking, not to mention the defence risk in uncertain geopolitical times. Above all, Torres Strait Islanders are fearful of these incursions, as they are unsure of the motivation and purpose of so many vessels visiting the region.
No matter how efficient and effective all the other agencies might be, such as ADF, AFP QPS, Fisheries, QLD Biosecurity, MSQ, and so on, their task is made so much harder if our international border is not secure. Whilst operation “Broadstaff” may well reduce the incursions of illegal vessels in the short term and provide some useful lessons, a lasting solution can only be found if the local islanders own and drive the process hand in hand with a joint Federal/ State multi-agency initiative.
Not only will this approach provide local intelligence, surveillance and monitoring, but there will be training and employment opportunities for locals.
Mr Kempton cautioned the Federal Government and Border Force against going it alone on this issue because what might have worked in NT and WA is not necessarily the best approach here.
Mr Kempton said he will continue to stand with the region’s elected representatives.
“I will continue to support the elected representatives of the region, advocate for a long-term coordinated solution and will call for a further forum soon to map out an all-party response.”