Torres Strait Islanders say they’re feeling isolated and ‘left in the dark’ by authorities after a recent spate of illegal activities has left them worried for their lives.
Some say there are growing concerns that increased economic pressures in the region, including across the border in Papua New Guinea (PNG), are increasing illegal fishing, drug trade, theft and people smuggling.
While these types of crimes are not new, residents say it has come to a tipping point and they’re renewing calls to governments for help.
Meanwhile, on Saibai Island, just 4 kilometres from PNG border, a $13 million dollar government facility built in 2020 remains largely unmanned.
For the safety of community members who shared their experiences, NITV has opted to allow anonymity.
A Saibai community member said they had a ‘traumatising’ experience in January this year when they confronted Papua New Guineans they saw illegally fishing on Saibai.
“We asked him to move because they can’t be there, we don’t consent for them to be there, they’re not approved,” they said.
“We were basically attacked with machetes and we [were] in fear for [our] life.”
Machetes and spears are common tools used by fisherman, but locals say during confrontations visitors have wielded them as weapons.
The Saibai community member said uninvited visitors were becoming brazen and often set up camp on the island.
“We’ve had one boat stolen the day after there was a Joint Border Patrol on Saibai – the very next day – a community member’s boat got stolen right from in front of his beach front landing,” they said.
“We’ve been left in the dark, this has been going on for years where there’s no sign of turtle and dugong on our hunting grounds.
“These activities used to only happen during the night, now no-one hides anymore.”
The community member said the incident was reported on the day but a convoy of Australian Federal Police (AFP), Queensland Police Service (QPS), Australia Border Force (ABF) and officials from PNG attended one week later.
Torres Strait Islanders share kinship, cultural ties and histories as old as time with Papua New Guineans.
The links underpin the sacrosanct Torres Strait Treaty between the two countries that allows ‘free movement’ for traditional purposes.