MEDIA MONITORS - Sewell says that life in the Torres Strait can be tough, with one issue being its proximity to Papua New Guinea, with a number of people coming across the border and putting pressure on services such as health and law and order.

These issues will be discussed in a Senate Inquiry looking at a 25 year old treaty between Australia and PNG.

She plays an interview with Russell Trood, Senator, who discusses the history of the treaty that was brought in in 1985.

He says it is an agreement between the Australian and PNG Govts relating to management of the Torres Strait area. Sewell says that she saw one submission from the Mayor of the Torres Strait Island Council in which he raises issues of drugs, alcohol and law and order.

Trood says that the committee has received enough submissions to suggest that there need to be changes and better resources such as Qld Policing and transport infrastructure.

He discusses problems with the Horn Island Airport in the Torres Strait, which is in need of funding. He says that the local community are frustrated and believe there is a need for more support from the Australian Federal Police as well as agricultural support from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

He says that the Senate Committee will likely have some recommendations for the Qld Govt.