| Torres Strait Treaty | |
| Long Name: | Treaty between Australia and the Independent State of Papua New Guinea concerning Sovereignty and Maritime Boundaries in the area between the two Countries, including the area known as Torres Strait, and Related Matters |
| Type: | Boundary treaty |
| Date Signed: | 18 December 1978 |
| Location Signed: | Sydney, Australia |
| Date Effective: | 15 February 1985 |
| Condition Effective: | Ratification by Australia and Papua New Guinea |
| Signatories: | |
| Languages: | English |
The Torres Strait Treaty is a treaty signed between Australia and Papua New Guinea. The treaty defined the border between Australia and Papua New Guinea following the latter's independence from Australia in 1975. The treaty also set out the manner in which the common border area would be managed. The treaty was signed in December 1978 and came into effect in 1985.[1]
The treaty is named for the Torres Strait that separates mainland Australia and Papua New Guinea.
The treaty defines two boundaries between Australia and Papua New Guinea
Despite being located on the Papua New Guinea side of the Seabed Jurisdiction Line, the following islands belong to Australia:
The treaty also established the Torres Strait Protected Zone. The aim of the Protected Zone is to allow indigenous Torres Strait Islanders and coastal Papua New Guinea people to maintain their traditional ways of life. The treaty "allows traditional people to move freely within the Protected Zone (without passports or visas) for traditional purposes."
The following villages in Papua New Guinea have traditional rights under this treaty to enter into the Australian-controlled part of the Protected Zone. These are known as the "Treaty Villages".
Australia
Papua New Guinea