The Crisafulli Government announced its 2025-26 Queensland budget, including an extra $6.8 million funding to support the legal recognition of Torres Strait Islander child rearing practices.

This investment represented a key commitment by the Queensland Government to uphold cultural identity and legal recognition for Torres Strait Islander families under the landmark Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa (Torres Strait Islander Traditional Child Rearing Practice) Act 2020.

Commissioner C’Zarke Maza, reappointed to lead the Office of the Commissioner (Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa) until 30 September 2025, attended the June State Budget Briefing alongside Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships, Fiona Simpson MP, where this significant investment was announced. A recruitment process is currently being undertaken to appoint a commissioner for a longer term of up to three years.

“I welcome my reappointment and will continue to do what I have done since commencing in this role, and that is to serve my people to the best of my ability,” Mr Maza said.

Mr Maza, a proud son of the late Bob Maza AM and brother of Dr Rachael Maza AM, both Order of Australia (AM) recipients, first assumed the role Commissioner (Meriba Omasker Kaziw Kazipa) in July 2021. Prior to this, he spent a decade with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (ATSILS) as Regional Manager and Legal Practitioner based on Thursday Island.

He said the new funding ensures the continuation of the program beyond 2025 up until 2029 and will enable more families to access legal recognition of traditional child rearing practices.