Two Queensland senators acknowledged the need for more cattle and agricultural independence on the Wellesley Islands after visiting with the Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion and Assistant Health Minister Fiona Nash last Wednesday. 

Employment would mean less reliance on welfare and hopefully decrease alcohol abuse and crime on Mornington Island. 

Senator Barry O’Sullivan said he promised the Mornington Island community 10 horses, saddles, bridles and swags, which would be used to train young people to work in the cattle industry. 

It would nurture a cattle industry on the island but would also mean experienced people from the community could work on stations in the Gulf of Carpentaria.

It meant the community would not lose too many of its employed young people, who move to central hubs such as Mount Isa.  

Youth who are charged with criminal activities could be suspended from the training for a set period as motivation to do the right thing. 

“We are well aware of the challenges that go with this, ferrying cattle on and off the island is a challenge in itself,” Mr O’Sullivan said. 

Senator Matthew Canavan said his view after visiting Mornington Island for the first time was that it needed to restore its culture and independence, like many other Aboriginal communities. 

“Across the country you see the results of an entitlement culture, welfare culture, and I think Mornington Island is an absolute reflection of the many examples across the country where money is given without responsibility, where resources are given without obligation,” Senator Canavan said. 

“The things that get you up every morning and work hard every day start to disappear.

“Unfortunately when you give people fish rather than teaching them to fish you know what’s going to happen.” 

Mornington Island had the potential to employ and feed its local people by growing vegetables and breeding cattle, yet it imported its food from the mainland. 

“It certainly can work, whether it’s commercial or not is another question,’’ Senator Canavan said. “I can’t for the life of me fathom subsidising small crops, lettuce, melons ... when there are hundreds of able-bodied men that could grow some of that food on the island.”

Mornington Island Mayor Brad Wilson said the council would  work with the federal government to make sure any funding deadlines and objects were met so the region could benefit. 

“The visit yesterday (Wednesday) sparks the need now for the senators to come through with funding support, coupled with a clear timeline for achieving discussed initiatives,” Cr Wilson said.