New laws to recognise Torres Strait Island families' use of traditional adoption would be introduced under a re-elected Labor government.

For generations, Torres Strait Islanders have supported their children and each other with traditional parenting approaches known more recently as "Kupai Omasker".

Torres Strait Regional Council CEO Bruce Ranga, Candidate for Cook Cynthia Lui, Ministerial Champion for the Torres Strait Shannon Fentiman MP, Aunty Ivy Trevallion, Aunty Rose Elu and Torres Strait Island mayor Fred Gela at the press conference on Wednesday.

Under the practice, children can be given to other members of the community for a range of reasons, including the maintenance of family inheritance rights, provide an infertile couple with the opportunity to raise a child, strengthen alliances or distribute children of different sexes more fairly.

Their guardianship can be transferred to other members of the community, typically extended family.