Palai Mabo is the son of the Rt Reverend Bishop Saibo Mabo and Sania Mabo (née Auda). His father is from Mer (Murray Island) in the Eastern cluster of the Torres Strait, where he is a proud Komet and Peibri clansman, while his mother is from Boigu Island in the Top Western cluster, belonging to the Koey Buai Clan with the Dhoeybau as his totem. 

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He currently resides on Yuwi Country in Mackay, where he has lived for the past nine years with his partner and their two children, while his eldest daughter lives on Thursday Island in the Torres Strait. As a father, he is deeply committed to maintaining strong cultural connections and teaching his children the importance of Torres Strait Islander culture, identity, and traditions, even while living on the mainland. 

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Together with his partner, Palai co-founded Ilun Roots, a small Indigenous business established in 2024. Through this initiative, they share the cultural knowledge and traditions of Mer and Boigu Island with the community through education, storytelling, song, dance, arts and crafts, and traditional cooking. 

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Throughout his time in Mackay, Palai has worked across various industries including road construction and as a funeral director and mortuary technician. He currently works as an Indigenous Youth Worker at a local Aboriginal Medical Service, where he is passionate about supporting young people and families to grow strong, confident, and connected to their identity.