I’m surprised our political leaders haven’t firmly rejected calls for Torres Strait autonomy (see PM looks at Torres Strait islands’ autonomy), given that creating a new Territory, a new parliament and more politicians anywhere in Australia would be highly unpopular. Furthermore the economic basis of an autonomous Torres Strait is questionable, as the islands lack a strong economic base on which a Territory Government could levy its own taxes. Hence the Territory Government would be almost totally dependent on transfers from the Commonwealth.