SENATOR MALARNDIRRI MCCARTHY
MINISTER FOR INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS

SENATOR NITA GREEN
SENATOR FOR QUEENSLAND

MATT SMITH
LABOR CANDIDATE FOR LEICHHARDT


SUPPORTING CLIMATE RESILIENCE IN THE TORRES STRAIT

 
The Albanese Labor Government is investing $77.4 million to boost climate resilience and 
upgrade essential services in remote communities across the Torres Strait.

We are investing $36.2 million over five years to help fund Stage 3 of the Torres Strait Seawalls Program which will provide additional engineering and seawall structures on five islands: Poruma, Iama, Masig, Warraber and Badu.

We are also supporting Stage 7 of the Torres Strait Major Infrastructure Program, with an 
investment of $41.2 million over five years for the construction and upgrading of infrastructure relating to wastewater, solid waste management and potable water supply in remote communities.

The seawalls and associated upgrades will increase protection for vulnerable Torres Strait 
Islander communities and infrastructure exposed to climate-related flooding and erosion.

The works will support local jobs during the construction phase of the projects.

The $77.4 million investment is a decision of government reflected in the 2025-26 Budget. 

The Torres Strait Major Infrastructure Program and Torres Strait Seawalls Program both 
contribute to the National Agreement on Closing the Gap, including Outcome 8 - stronger 
economic participation and development of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their communities, and Outcome 15 – First Nations people to maintain a distinctive cultural, spiritual, physical and economic relationship with their land and waters.

The investment will be administered by the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) in 
partnership with Torres Strait local governments and the Torres Strait Island Regional Council (TSIRC). It is subject to Queensland agreeing to jointly invest in this important work.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Senator Malarndirri McCarthy:

“We know that remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities are particularly 
vulnerable to climate change and extreme weather conditions.

“The Coalition doesn’t take climate change seriously. They brought lumps of coal into 
Parliament and Peter Dutton, when he was a Minister, joked about rising sea levels in the 
Pacific.

“This investment demonstrates the Albanese Labor Government takes climate change seriously and is committed to boosting climate resilience for First Nations communities and improving access to essential services.”

Quotes attributable to Senator for Queensland, Senator Nita Green:

“This funding is vital for our Torres Strait communities.

“I call on the state government to join us in this record investment and give these communities the security they need.”

Quotes attributable to Labor Candidate for Leichhardt, Matt Smith:

“We know that Torres Strait Island communities are facing the impact of climate change right now.

“This investment is vital to not only protect infrastructure, but to protect the cultural and spiritual relationship Torres Strait Islanders have with their homeland.

“I am so proud to be part of the Labor Party that is investing in climate resilience for the Torres Strait.”
 
MONDAY, 7 APRIL 2025
 
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