Success of government referendum vital for Torres Strait

The mayor of Queensland's largest Indigenous council says the local government referendum must succeed to guarantee funding for Aboriginal and Torres Strait authorities.

1 min read

Published 12 July 2013 3:18pm

Updated 26 August 2013 10:48am

By Stefan Armbruster

Source: SBS

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Queensland's 16 indigenous local governments cover about 23,000 people in remote communities, but unlike mainstream councils they have no rate base because the land is communally owned.

Torres Strait Island Regional Council mayor Fred Gela says that deprives them of what is for other councils their main source of income.

Mayor Gela told Queensland correspondent Stefan Armbruster the direct federal funding offered by the referendum is vital for their future.

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