The administration and management of matters relating to Australia’s northern air, sea and land approaches in the region of the Torres Strait
20 August 2010
© Commonwealth of Australia 2010
View the report as a single document - (PDF 17KB)
Referral of inquiry
On 14 September 2009, the Senate referred matters relating to the Torres Strait to the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee for inquiry and report by 26 February 2010. On 25 February, the Senate granted an extension of the reporting date to 13 May and on 12 May to 2 September 2010.[1]
Conduct of inquiry
The committee advertised its inquiry on its website, in the Australian, Brisbane Courier Mail and Torres News calling for submissions to be lodged by 30 October 2009. The committee also wrote directly to a range of people and organisations inviting written submissions. These included federal government departments and agencies, academics, research and strategic studies institutes, non-government organisations, local councils in the region, the Queensland Government, and the governments of Indonesia and Papua New Guinea through their representatives in Australia.
The committee received 32 submissions. During the inquiry, the committee also received additional information and answers to questions taken on notice. This documentation is listed on the committee's website.
The committee held public hearings in Canberra, Brisbane and Thursday Island in the Torres Strait.
Final report
On 19 July 2010, the Governor-General prorogued the 42nd Parliament and dissolved the House of Representatives. After due consideration, the committee has resolved to table an interim report in order to allow the committee adequate time to consider and prepare its final report for presentation to the Senate. It intends to present this report to the Senate as soon as possible in the new Parliament.
Senator Helen Kroger
Chair
[1] Journals of the Senate, 12 May 2010, p. 3461.
For further information, contact:
Committee Secretary
Senate Standing Committees on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade
PO Box 6100
Parliament House
Canberra ACT 2600
Australia