… to examine aftermath of Commonwealth takeover — October 18 to 21

Senator Pauline Hanson is carrying out a three-day fact-finding mission to Norfolk Island next week, during which she will meet with community, business, and government representatives to examine the economic and social impacts of the Australian Government’s takeover of the island on July 1 this year.

The visit, running from Tuesday 18 October to Friday 21 October, is the first time a crossbench or opposition Senator or MP has been to the island following the abolition of self-governance and full takeover by the Australian Government.

Representatives of Australian or international media are welcome to attend. I can assist with information on travel and accommodation.

Senator Hanson’s visit follows the lodging of a petition for an act of self-determination with the United Nations Committee of 24 (Special Committee on Decolonization) earlier this year.

Senator Hanson will examine the impacts on local businesses, primary producers, landholders, residents, and non-Australian citizens who live on the island, as well as the impact on health, education and other public services that have been taken over by the Commonwealth.

Attached is a draft itinerary of the visit, which is being coordinated by the Norfolk Island Council of Elders. Senator Hanson will meet key stakeholders, including: local businesses; primary producers and fishing industry; health and medical representatives; landowners; Australian Government representatives; Norfolk Island Regional Council; Norfolk Island People for Democracy, Pitcairn Descendants Association; and residents who are non-Australian citizens. There are also a number of public events. It is expected that Senator Hanson will have an opportunity to meet with the majority of island’s permanent residents during her visit.

Despite a referendum last year recording more than two-thirds of the population were opposed to the loss of self-government, the Commonwealth pressed ahead with radical changes that included the abolition of local institutions, replacement of local laws, removal of the local tax and duties system that had allowed the island to be economically sustainable, and a loss of local control over public services such as the local school, hospital and radio station. The Commonwealth also extended its control over the island’s 430,000 square kilometre exclusive economic zone.

The changes have been overseen by Norfolk Island Administrator Gary Hardgrave, who was appointed by Tony Abbott in 2014. His tenure has been deeply divisive on the island, resulting in a public meeting earlier this year where the local population called for his immediate departure.

Below are some links to articles summarising some of the concerns of Norfolk Islanders, as well as background information on the island’s political, economic and social history.

Background information:

Further reading:
UN Petition — http://www.norfolkschoice.com/thepetition.pdf
Jon Stanhope — http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/public-service/were-not-listening-to-norfolk-islanders-as-their-democracy-is-quietly-stolen-20150130-132jlb.html
Geoffrey Robertson — http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2016/04/27/the-world-s-littlest-freedom-fighters-norfolk-island-is-battling-australian-colonization.html
Andre Nobbs — http://www.smh.com.au/comment/norfolk-islanders-will-become-australias-new-second-class-citizens-20160508-gopkoh.html

Politics:
In 1856, Norfolk Island was gifted to the descendants of the Bounty mutineers by Queen Victoria.
Norfolk Island subsequently became a territory administered by the Commonwealth of Australia on behalf of the British crown.
Between 1979 and 2015, Norfolk Island was self-governed by an elected Legislative Assembly. This administration, funded by local taxes and levies on the island, provided health, education, customs, quarantine, telecommunications, electricity, roads, rubbish, and other services.
During the Global Financial Crisis, Norfolk Island was specifically excluded from stimulus funding and financial assistance packages provided to other states and territories.
Under self-governance, the Commonwealth had veto powers over legislation and other government activities. The Norfolk Island administration was also restricted from undertaking commercial borrowing without the approval of the Australian Government.
A referendum in May 2015 found more two-thirds of Norfolk Islanders opposed the loss of self-governance.

Economy:
Norfolk Island is surrounded by a 430,000 square kilometre exclusive economic zone.
It is estimated that the exclusive economic zone delivers up to $400 million annually to the Commonwealth, with commercial fishing licences alone reaping more than $60 million a year.
Prior to the loss of self-governance, Norfolk Islanders paid direct and indirect taxes to Australia in the vicinity of $5.8 million per year, according to the ATO and ABS.
In recent years, activities aimed at providing a sustainable boost to the local economy, including an agreement to allow a Canadian company to grow medicinal marijuana on the island, were vetoed by the Commonwealth.

Society:
Norfolk Island has its own language, which is included on the United Nations’ list of endangered languages. In addition, it is home to unique customs and culture, predominantly derived from the European and Tahitian ancestry of the original inhabitants from Pitcairn Island.
Two national anthems that are sung at official ceremonies: God Save The Queen and the Pitcairn Anthem.
Women were allowed to vote on Norfolk Island from 1856, as they had been on Pitcairn Island.
Women were elected to parliament and judicial positions as early as the 19th century.
Norfolk Island introduced compulsory education for boys and girls before any Australian state or territory.
The Legislative Assembly attempted to legalise same-sex marriage in 2014. This was vetoed by the Commonwealth.
Throughout the period of self-government, Norfolk Island managed to maintain full employment, with many islanders working two or more part-time jobs due to the necessity of providing a diverse range of essential services to a small population.
Tim Vollmer