TONY Abbott will become the first Australian Prime Minister to pay respects at the grave of indigenous land rights campaigner Eddie Mabo as he begins a week-long trip to the Torres Strait.
Mr Abbott will today visit the remote Mer, which is also known as Murray Island, which is Mabo’s ancestral homeland that was the focus of the landmark legal battle over native title.
The historic visit will kick off a series of official visits by Mr Abbott and other senior ministers across Australia’s northernmost region as part of the PM’s vow to spend a week every year in an indigenous community.
High unemployment, poor levels of school attendance, health and safety will be the focus of Mr Abbott’s trip, which he said he wanted to use to make a practical difference to the remote community.
“Every indigenous community is different, but the foundations of success are the same — it’s getting kids to school, adults into work and making communities safe,” Mr Abbott said.
“That is where we must focus, if we are to make meaningful progress.
“We are a great country but we will not be everything we can be until indigenous people are participating fully in our national life.”