ABC News -

The head of a Senate committee that is conducting an inquiry into the Torres Strait says it is important it finds out the extent of the problems facing the region.

The committee is in Torres Strait this week to inspect health, defence and Customs' facilities, and to hear evidence.

Committee chairman and Queensland Senator Russell Trood says one issue it is looking at is the movement of Papua New Guinean nationals into the area.

"The agencies in Canberra tend to be pretty relaxed about the arrangements. They think the Torres Strait treaty arrangements are working pretty well," he said.

"They generally tend to be comfortable with the level of movement back and forth, but we know that's not the local view of things.

"There are quite a lot of concerns."