Abstract The Torres Strait Treaty between Australia and Papua New Guinea (“PNG”) came into force in 1985. This unique treaty, which defines the maritime, seabed and fisheries boundaries between Australia and PNG, is recognised as one of the most complex, but imaginative maritime delimitation solutions in existence. The Treaty creates a Protected Zone with a view to safeguarding the traditional way of life and livelihood of traditional inhabitants of the Torres Strait and adjacent coast of PNG. Traditional inhabitants are allowed relatively unrestricted cross-border movement into the Protected Zone for the purpose of performing traditional activities. “Traditional inhabitants” are defined by the treaty, but the relevant provision is ambiguous and the question of who is within the terms of the Treaty is highly contentious. The problem is exacerbated by the competing layers of law which govern the Strait and surrounding Borderlands, and by the dissonance between State law, customary laws, and the practical application of the Treaty. This paper looks at the meaning of “traditional inhabitants” and some of the other issues surrounding this question.

中文翻译：

---

在边界上：《托雷斯海峡条约》规定谁是“传统居民”？

摘要澳大利亚与巴布亚新几内亚之间的《托雷斯海峡条约》于1985年生效。这一独特的条约定义了澳大利亚与巴布亚新几内亚之间的海洋，海底和渔业边界，被认为是最复杂的条约之一，但存在有想象力的海上划界解决方案。该条约设立了一个保护区，以维护托雷斯海峡和巴布亚新几内亚沿岸传统居民的传统生活方式和生计。为了进行传统活动，允许传统居民相对不受限制地越境进入保护区。该条约定义了“传统居民”，但相关规定不明确，谁属于条约范围之内的问题引起很大争议。控制海峡和周边边境地区的竞争性法律层级，以及州法律，习惯法与《条约》的实际适用之间的不协调，加剧了这一问题。本文着眼于“传统居民”的含义以及围绕该问题的其他一些问题。