Torres Strait activists claim independence

By Bill Mason A group of Torres Strait islanders, led by Jim Akee, have held meetings on the Murray Islands in preparation for a move to declare the islands independent from Australia and set up an interim government. The independence move has drawn strong opposition from Robert Tickner, federal Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, and other federal and state government officials. Akee says the 1992 Mabo ruling by the High Court allows for self-rule and the scrapping of the existing island community council, which has been criticised as ineffective. He and his supporters want to improve the economy and services for the 500 residents of the three islands, Mer, Dauar and Wajer, situated about 200 kilometres east of Thursday Island. "The government believes what we're doing is illegal. How is it illegal?", the proposed chief minister of the Mer interim government Joe Guivarra said on November 8. "I dare say they will have to come up and stop us. The islands have come of age and residents can stand on their own two feet rather than depend on Australian taxpayers' money", he said.