Elders’ legal bid to save homes, culture coming to end

Uncle Paul Kabai and Uncle Pabai Pabai are afraid of the future of their anavatan.

The countries on the outer islands of Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait), which is less than 10 kilometers than Papua New Guinea, are besieged by the effects of climate change.

The two men are afraid of the loss of their islands, cultures and lifestyles, forcing their families and communities to be the first climate refugees of Australia.

The uncles took the Federal government to court in the Australian climate case and sought orders to take steps to prevent Commonwealth to prevent further damage to their communities.

This will involve cutting greenhouse gas emissions in accordance with the best science available.

Commonwealth argued that it is not legally necessary to take into account the effects of the best science or climate change in determining emission reduction goals.

On Tuesday, the Federal Court will make a decision in the case and hope that men’s wars can protect the future of the people.

Mr. Pabai and Mr. Kabai filed a lawsuit against the Federal Government in 2021.

They argue that the Society of Nations is a maintenance task for Torres Strait to take them reasonable steps to protect them from damage.

Witnesses during the internal hearings in 2023 announced how destructive the loss of culture due to climate change.

Pabai Pabai, who spent his life on the low Boigu Island, says, “We don’t want to be a climate refugee.”

Paul Kabai remembers a time when his family will hunt from gardens grown by the community, fish and products.

But everything has changed, he says.

The beaches on the island – Saibai – withdrew, turned into mud and mangrvs.

The river system remained under water with salty water, and even the island’s cemetery was affected by the flood.

“Even our cultural areas are destroyed by rising seas.”

“We are both very worried about what we lost, our hunting areas are destroyed by strong currents.

“Where can we show our culture to the young generation?” he asks.

“In this way, we lose our culture, everything from our ancestors.”

Approaching a decision in the case is an important milestone for Mr. Pabai and Mr. Kabai.

They were an emotional journey for their communities and supporters, but as their uncles approached the end of this war, they close the reasons where they began to fight so long.

The campaign life, a turning point, pointed out the Eddie Mabo example of the Torres Strait Adali, which resulted in a Supreme Court decision, recognizing the rights of the first nations to the territory of the first nations and resisted the idea of ‘Terra Nullius’, which the British claimed in colonialism.

Orum I’m standing intact on your shoulders, or he says.

“As for this case, this is a victory for my family and communities in Boigu and in all communities in the country and the world.”

This says that Mr. Pabai, as well as about the people who came before and preserves what they have left, is in front of his two -year -old son and the Torres Strait and the more distant generations.

“My main focus is my new generation, or he says.

“That’s why I’m doing it – for my son’s love, for all people in my community in the Torres Strait, for forest fire and flood survivors, farmers, children and grandchildren.”

Regardless of the legal result, Mr. Kabai says he believes that he and Mr. Pabai will make a difference.

“We will be proud even if we win or lose, or he says.

“The government now listens, they know what’s going on, and they need to do something about climate change.”