Cronky Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 Sydney Morning Herald - We're not listening to Norfolk Islanders as their democracy is quietly stolen http://www.smh.com.au/national/public-service/were-not-listening-to-norfolk-islanders-as-their-democracy-is-quietly-stolen-20150302-132jlb.html Norfolk Island has been a self-governing Australian territory for almost four decades but is now in danger of losing its self-governing status. It has experienced serious economic and governance problems and, as a result, a federal parliamentary committee has recommended that its Legislative Assembly be abolished and the federal bureaucracy take over Norfolk's administration. While Norfolk Islanders would like to share fully in the benefits of Australian citizenship, most of them are protesting against these moves, which they regard as a return to colonial rule. Serious issues of democratic principle are involved when properly constituted elected bodies are threatened with closure by what must be regarded as related "imperial" powers. . . . Somewhat surprisingly given the level of opposition to the proposals on Norfolk Island, Canberra MP Gai Brodtmann and the two ACT senators, Zed Seselja and Kate Lundy, who are the islanders' default representatives in Federal Parliament, have all agreed to bring to an end democracy on Norfolk. Self determination? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Tatlock Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 Norfolk an reserves eh? Ran out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cronky Posted March 20, 2015 Author Share Posted March 20, 2015 From this article it would appear that financial issues are the trigger: Norfolk Island needs new governance model http://www.smh.com.au/comment/norfolk-island-needs-new-governance-model-20150217-13gxsk.html In its report on the 2012-13 financial statements, the Australian National Audit Office noted that the Norfolk Island administration estimated it would not hold sufficient cash and cash equivalents to cover operations in 2014-15, 2015-16 and 2016-17. The forecast for Norfolk Island's public finances puts it in the red to the tune of $7.4 million, $7.4 million and $7.8 million respectively.In the 27 months to June 2014, Australian taxpayers spent $40 million keeping it afloat.So, without yearly Commonwealth bailouts, the administration can't pay its bills.And the impact of this economic position on the residents of the island is dire. But from this article it appears that the 'laws are out of date': Norfolk Island to be run by council http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/norfolk-island-to-be-run-by-council-20150318-1m2mc7.html Assistant Minister for Regional Development Jamie Briggs said it was not sustainable to ask a community of just 1800 people to deliver local, state and federal services."The reality is, infrastructure on Norfolk Island is run down, the health system not up to standard and many laws are out of date with all other Australian jurisdictions," he said in a statement. Having 'out of date laws' is the creepy bit. Who is to say what the laws should be? We're probably about ten years behind the UK in terms of legislation. And then a lot of that legislation gets 'manxified' for local purposes. This means we have at least some possibility of having laws that fit the Island's culture. There are doubtless people in Whitehall who resent that. SO the two handles 'can't meet the bills' and 'laws out of date' work together to say 'you can't govern yourselves properly'. Of course, we could start borrowing - if they would let us ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Albert Tatlock Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 We're already 'borrowing'. MEA loans, incinerator, Hospital build, paying pensions out of reserves etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spook Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 It would probably be for the best if the UK were to do the same for the Island. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woolley Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 It would probably be for the best if the UK were to do the same for the Island. Thought you were supposed to be Manx. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarne Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 Great example of what could happen here. Norfolk island is only 2300 people though so it's more akin to somewhere the size of Alderney, rather than here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cronky Posted March 20, 2015 Author Share Posted March 20, 2015 Great example of what could happen here. Norfolk island is only 2300 people though so it's more akin to somewhere the size of Alderney, rather than here. Or indeed the Falklands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spook Posted March 20, 2015 Share Posted March 20, 2015 It would probably be for the best if the UK were to do the same for the Island. Thought you were supposed to be Manx. It is precisely because I am that I say what I do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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