NUR1204: Climate Justice: Torres Strait Islanders vs. Australian Govt

This case study analyzes a news article from the Koori Mail regarding the impact of climate change on the Torres Strait Islanders and their legal action against the Australian government. The article highlights the rising sea levels threatening the islands and the government's alleged failure to protect the Islanders' human rights. The Islanders filed a complaint with the UN's Human Rights Committee and launched a court action against the central authority in Australia. The study further explores the cultural safety aspects related to climate change and the significance of the issue for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, emphasizing the need for accountability and climate justice. The case study concludes by summarizing the key points of the article, including the court ruling in favor of Urgenda and the launch of a cultural fire credits program.

NUR1204 Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander
Health

Table of Contents
Section A: Introduction....................................................................................................................3
Section B: Evaluation......................................................................................................................4
Section C: Summary........................................................................................................................4
Appendix..........................................................................................................................................6

Section A: Introduction
The provided assignment relates to an analysis of a newspaper article for a selected topic
from First Nations Newspaper Koori Mail. The selected topic would relate to the findings of the
selected study desk as outlined i.e., “Cultural Safety: Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Australians”.
Published: 03 Nov 2021
Link: https://aiatsis.gov.au/collection/featured-collections/koori-mail
The main idea being highlighted in the provided news article reflects towards increasing
issues of climate change that results in suffering remote islands of rising seas. Taking the
instance of repeated complaints after multiple requests to the Australian government about the
concern, Gudamalulgal in the Torres Strait are taking the Australian government to court. For the
given article the discussions were being made by backing up several facts including, the legal
responsibilities of the Federal Government to ensure Torres Strait Islander people are not
harmed by regular changes in climate or defined climate crises.
In the carried forwards of journal article various consequences climate crises including
island could be flooded, soils ruined by salts, as a result, leaving of communities. Along with
this, climate crises could also lead to losing homes for island residents, losing cultural values,
living standards, etc.

Section B: Evaluation
The given article is highly related to the chosen weekly topic i.e., “Cultural Safety:
Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians”. The instance of relation can
be drawn taking guidance of story highlight about climate crises faced by Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Australians. The aspects of climate safety were then being integrated with lack
of initiatives taken by the Federal Government to ensure proper safety measures to residents of
the island.
The main argument that was presented in the article includes, controversy being spread at
the region due to “Torres Strait leaders launch court action”. The motion of instance was drawn
with respect to filing a court case against the central authority at Australia by some residents of
Islander Australians. This was in respect to not repeated complaints rendered by Island residents
to the Australian government and not getting any suitable answer. In 2019, eight Torres Strait
Islander traditional owners lodged a complaint with the UN’s Human Rights Committee in
Geneva. However, the government was had failed to uphold its human rights obligations.
The most interesting or surprising aspect that I have learned by reading this article
includes, the young mob also leads the way in the fight for climate justice. This is found to be
very uncommon for various regions for which the young mob also participates in social issues
and holds a strong stand for the regional issue. By reading the provided article various questions
could be raised with respect to the lack of accountability of the Australian government with
respect to residents of Islanders.
The significance of the article in relation to Aboriginal and Torres Straits Islander
Australians is in respect to difficulties faced by them due to climate crises. The article presented
effective interrelatedness taking guidance of better formation of individuals from the island for
their basic human rights.
Section C: Summary
By the analysis of the above journal article key points that can be summarised includes,
TSI leaders suing Federal Government over climate for which the court of Hague ruled in favour
of Urgenda. The order was passed to the government to cut its greenhouse gas emission by at
least 25% by the end of 2020. A cultural fire credits program was being launched that was aimed
at reducing devastating bushfires. The step taken by the government not only reduced the factors
causing climate crises but also provided employment in the various Australian region.

After the long wait of residents of the Island, the problem seems to be solved as dedicated
steps taken up by the residents of the Island allow them to access basic human rights. For the
provided paper main argument that was presented in the article includes, controversy being
spread in the region due to “Torres Strait leaders launch court action”. The motion of instance
was drawn with respect to filing a court case against the central authority at Australia by some
residents of Islander Australians.

References
Torres Strait leaders launch court action, (2021, Nov). [Newspaper]. Available at:
<https://aiatsis.gov.au/collection/featured-collections/koori-mail>

Appendix