The Torres Strait Region says it wants to become a self-governing Territory within the next 15 years.
Island representatives from the area are in Canberra pushing for action that they hope will lead to a new jurisdiction with its own parliament.
Jeremy Geia reports.
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The Torres Strait Regional Council is in the nation's capital pushing for autonomy.
Thousands of kilometres away from their island homes, Councillor Keith Fell says it's time for self management.
"We know what is best for our people we know how to communicate with them, how to talk to them, how to close gaps that we see need to be closed in those communities."
Aspirations of self rule have been around since 1937 and while there have been more talks about the Torres Strait gaining Territory status, the local Council says it wants more than just lip-service.
Mayor Fred Gela says assurances by the Queensland and Federal governments have opened up a pathway to self government - but its now time to implement a model.
"So that is my challenge to both tiers of government: in 15 years we want autonomy and we will not stop for a second, in terms of changing or digressing from our path. This is something that has been a burning desire and it still is."
The Torres Strait has its own and flag and a population of around 10,000 people scattered across the many islands it represents.
Mayor Gela says a transition countdown to autonomy and securing industries on land and sea is vital.
He also is seeking a national building fund to make sure a new territory is appropriately funded to provide services.
"In terms of ensuring that the territory starts off on the right foot, there needs to be consideration around a nation-building fund. In terms of ensuring that all the many responsibilities that a territiory government would have to have and administer - in terms of local government, in terms of the state functions that it absorbs - we need to be in a position that we are able to deliver that so that the investments that are put towards that and injected into that model needs to be real."
Fred Gela says dissolving local government and the Torres Strait Regional Authority into one assembly is a popular idea on the islands.
He says if by 2028 a Territory isn't established, representatives say other international avenues for self government may be explored.
