Premier David Crisafulli and Member for Cook David Kempton meet with Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area leaders last week. Photo: Facebook (David Kempton MP).
The Crisafulli Government has delivered a $6.8 million investment to save a Torres Strait Islander cultural recognition practice it says was due to be scrapped under Labor.
The former Miles government’s funding of the Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa (Torres Strait Islander Child Rearing Practices) Act 2020, expired on 30 June 2025, but the new government says its commitment will ensure the initiative remains funded for the next three years.
The legislation recognises Torres Strait Islander lore in western law, and establishes a process for legal recognition of Torres Strait Islander traditional child rearing.
It has been overseen by Commissioner C’Zarke Maza and surpassed a significant milestone of having issued 104 cultural recognition orders since the legislation’s inception on 1 July 2021.
Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Fiona Simpson said government was committed to ensuring the cultural recognition orders remained.
“This … announcement delivers on our commitment to break down barriers to full social and economic participation for our Torres Strait Islander peoples and takes real action on five Closing The Gap targets,” she said.
“For many applicants, a cultural recognition order provides their first-ever birth certificate, unlocking access to legal identification such as a passport and driver’s licence; these documents open doors to employment, travel and essential services such as school enrolment.”
Commissioner Maza said he was pleased to continue the important work.
“My role is about more than just legal recognition – it’s empowering our communities, strengthening cultural identity, and ensuring that these deeply rooted traditions are respected and protected for generations to come,” he said.
