Bill to recognise Torres Strait parenting tradition
TRADITIONAL Torres Strait islander child-rearing practices would be legally recognised under a historic Bill introduced to parliament.
An emotional Cynthia Lui, Australia’s first Torres Strait islander MP, said children who were raised under the practice deserved only love and respect with questions about who they were and where they came from irrelevant.
The Bill seeks to legally recognise the Ailan Kastom childrearing practice, which involves birth parents permanently giving their child to cultural parents. They are usually extended family, with the practice occurring for a number of cultural reasons.
The parents take on all responsibilities, with the child able to inherit the same surname and entitlements like inheritance.
Cook MP Ms Lui, who introduced the Bill on Thursday, said the recognition would allow Torres Strait islanders to access fundamental human rights, including a birth certificate and easier access to government services such as financial support and school enrolment.
She said the practice was an integral part of the “cultural fabric since time immemorial”.
“If passed, the implementation of this very important legislative reform will resolve longstanding issues faced by Torres Strait islanders whose legal identity does not reflect their cultural identity and lived experience,” she said. “This sacred cultural practice supports the permanent transfer of parentage for a child from the biological parents to the cultural parents, in accordance with Ailan Kastom.
“It is a consent-based, verbal agreement that usually occurs within an extended family.”