As a result of continuing droughts in Australia the inhabitants of Palm Island, located off the coast of Queensland, are facing a serious water crisis and, according to The Advertiser, will run out of water in two months without rainfall. The Red Cross, hoping to provide islanders with drinking water, has reported that the water shortage has caused an outbreak of boils and other hygiene problems. The Palm Island Council asked the Queensland government to close the community to visitors, a request that the government denied.
Queensland's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy Minister John Mickel announced that the state government will supply fresh water at cost price to Palm Island, and he has instructed public servants who travel daily to the island to bring their own drinking water and avoid staying overnight. Palm Island Mayor Erykah Kyle says the Council is preparing an evacuation plan for the island's residents. Nearly all of Palm Island's residents are aboriginal; non-indigenous residents are primarily government workers providing health and education services to the community.
