Dear Prime Minister, Minister Bowen, and Minister Burney, we call on you to urgently commit a significant increase in funding for seawalls and adaptation measures in the Torres Strait. Torres Strait Islanders are on the frontlines of the climate crisis. Advancing seas are already threatening homes, as well as damaging fresh water supplies, crops, burial grounds and sacred cultural sites.
It is critical that seawall and adaptation measures have sufficient funding, are supported by Traditional Owners who have the Indigenous knowledge required to ensure they are implemented properly, and are backed by high-quality scientific and technical support.