So tragic are the state of affairs on the island, community advocates are presently petitioning the Queensland Health Minister for an expansion of their local morgue so the deceased, many in their 30s and 40s, can be accommodated.

"I would like to see this audit conducted immediately, so to give Mornington Island the transparency it needs to move forward and address the issues that are eroding the local way of life," Mr Katter said.

"The audit process could be replicated within the rest of the state's remote indigenous communities, like Doomadgee, Palm Island and Cape York, to ensure government funding and services were reaching and supporting those most in need."

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Last week the Mayor of Mornington Shire Council called for an independent audit of health and welfare services delivered to Mornington Island as he sought urgent help to address a health and social welfare crisis affecting his community.

Mr Katter said, like many remote indigenous communities in Queensland, Mornington Island felt like a "forgotten society".

He applauded Cr Yanner's bravery in demanding transparency for his community, which is suffering under chronically high unemployment, incarceration, and premature death rates that show no sign of improving.

Mr Katter said he, and Cr Yanner, were disturbed by the prevalence of chronic disease among the local population as well as the high premature death rate.

"If this situation was presented on behalf of community in the south-east corner, there would be public outcry," Mr Katter said.

"For all the goodwill and concern espoused by our leaders for the welfare and advancement of our First Australians, where are they on these issues?

"It's easy to talk the talk and show up to a protest, but it's much harder to actually engage with communities on the ground and ask them what they truly need."

Mr Katter said he wanted the Queensland Government's tokenistic Path to Treaty delayed until the issues on the ground were addressed.

"Tokenistic efforts like the treaty are an insult while First Australian people are relegated to such poor quality of life and little opportunity to advance themselves and their families," he said.

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