Anniversary of the Torres Strait Treaty’s Entry into Force

15 February 1985

The Torres Strait Treaty between Australia and Papua New Guinea entered into force on 15 February 1985. The anniversary marks the operation of an international treaty with particular significance for traditional inhabitants of the Torres Strait region.

Traditional lives across an international border

The Treaty was signed in Sydney on 18 December 1978. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade distinguishes signing from entry into force and identifies the latter date in its fortieth-anniversary account.

Borders and traditional activities

The Treaty defines maritime boundaries and provides arrangements for the common border area. It also protects traditional ways of life and activities in the Torres Strait Protected Zone, including connections that cross the international border.

This is a treaty between two countries. It should not be presented as the same kind of agreement as Victoria’s Statewide Treaty or a domestic agreement between a government and First Nations representatives. The parties, legal setting and purposes differ.

The anniversary can foreground Islanders’ relationships across Sea Country rather than allowing a boundary line to stand in for the whole history. Current travel, fisheries and border arrangements require current official guidance; a historical summary cannot establish permission for a particular journey.

Reflecting and learning

Compare the signing and commencement dates. What does an international border change, and why would a treaty need to recognise traditional relationships across it?

Start with the sources below and distinguish the original event from later interpretations and commemorations. When using this date in a classroom or workplace, allow time for questions and further reading. First Nations peoples have diverse histories and perspectives; this brief introduction does not speak for every community.

Sources and further reading

• 40th anniversary of the Torres Strait Treaty — Australian Government
• The Torres Strait Treaty — Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
• Torres Strait Treaty, 1978 — National Archives of Australia

Our related products and resources

We do not currently offer products or learning resources specifically for this date. The reading links above are provided for background and further learning. Suitable items from our range will be added here as they become available.