Community Representatives - NIGC

Attached is a joint media release between Minister McBain and the NIGC.

As mentioned in a previous Facebook post, the discussion we had with Minister McBain has given us, the elected representatives, the confidence to continue with our work.

In addition, you can find the NIGC Work Plan for the transition on this link:
https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/nigc-work-plan-20250710.pdf?fbclid=IwY2xjawLbyuBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFPVDdmbVltaXpZSUpKbXh5AR7-5HO_BTWcVrnu-xyaE3NreETtTAagEbbxyDD0NrzwzUeQ20ytzdpltA2v5Q_aem_EBx09--L2IeeMJwBlIFenA

A message from the Elected Representatives of the Norfolk Island Governance Committee (NIGC)

29 June 2025

Following the Federal Election in May 2025, the elected representatives wrote to the Minister, the Hon. Kristy McBain addressing concerns within the community and invited her to Norfolk Island to have a discussion about the NIGC process to date, and their views on a pathway forward.

Following this request, the community representatives along with the Chair of the NIGC had a virtual meeting with the Minister. This discussion outlined in greater detail the needs and aspirations of the community and confirmed the position of the community representatives as outlined in the Restoring Democracy – April Update 2025. This discussion was a positive step forward, confirming with the Minister the need to work together in a transparent partnership to deliver a new model of governance that is fit for purpose for Norfolk Island, and meets both state and local service delivery needs. Having this discussion with the Minister has given the community representatives confidence to continue in their work.

The NIGC has agreed to a one and a half day workshop in the first week of July that will focus on delivering a clear work plan on progressing the objectives as outlined in the NIGC Terms of Reference.

More information will be available following workshop discussions.

Chris Magri and Chelsea Evans

We are available to meet with all Norfolk Island residents. Fortnightly Wednesday public meetings are held at the Supper Room (Rawson Hall) or can be arranged through private discussions. Please contact us at [email protected] or Chris Magri 50367 or Chelsea Evans 50432.

A Message from the Community Representatives on the Norfolk Island Governance Committee

A CALL FOR BOLD DECISIVE ACTION BY THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT

Key elements of the governance framework proposed for Norfolk Island by the Australian Government in November 2024 should not to be introduced into Parliament without the consent or support of the Norfolk Island community.

It is time for the Australian Government to end the failed local government model and take decisive action in five essential areas:

1. Establish the Norfolk Island Assembly under new primary Commonwealth legislation (a new Norfolk Island Act), ensuring the Assembly has the authority and autonomy to make laws and exercise powers to govern Norfolk Island effectively and deliver local and state level responsibilities.

2. Identify suitable pathways to address key community concerns, including:
2.1 Establishing an effective population management mechanism,
2.2 Restoring inclusive voting rights, and
2.3 Community control over Norfolk Island’s Crown Land, reserves, and public land.

3. Promote financial sustainability, to ensure that the Assembly is supported by a financial model that has been independently assessed for sustainability.

4. Define Norfolk Island’s relationship with Australia, to provide formal recognition of the Island’s status as a distinct and separate settlement and its trustee relationship with Australia.

5. Ensure Norfolk Islanders have confidence in their future, by:
5.1 Establishing a formal cooperation framework between Norfolk Island and Australia,
5.2 Promoting self-sufficiency and economic diversification for the Island, and
5.3 A compulsory vote to confirm community endorsement or rejection of the proposed governance model.

These actions follow extensive community engagement by the elected community representatives, and present practical, cost-effective, and mutually beneficial solutions to the Island’s governance challenges.

These key actions should be implemented in full to establish a stable, sustainable governance model that respects Norfolk Islanders’ rights, cultural identity, and history.

All peoples have the right of self-determination. By virtue of that right they freely determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development. Calling for these immediate actions does not diminish the United Nations work being undertaken by others for Norfolk Island. That is a longer path. We also need immediate actions to improve the current situation. The Australian Government has acknowledged that the NIGC work ‘is undertaken without prejudice to the rights of residents of Norfolk Island’.

For further information see the community representatives document ‘Restoring Democracy - APRIL 2025’ at http://www.norfolkislandgovernance.com

Governance changes for Norfolk Island should be done via primary legislation NOT ordinance.

The Australian Government’s November 2024 policy framework supports the establishment of the Norfolk Island Assembly under an ordinance made under Section 19A of the Norfolk Island Act 1979 (Cth).

The NIGC, JSCNCET, and the community have all recommended that the Assembly be established under a new Norfolk Island Act (primary legislation) that includes a Preamble for the following reasons:

*The current Norfolk Island Act has been so extensively amended that it no longer serves as an appropriate or effective governing constitution.

*The legislative framework established under the current Act is overly complex, making it difficult for both the community and legal professionals to understand the laws that apply to Norfolk Island. Establishing the Assembly by ordinance will only add to this complexity.

*The Australian Government has committed to reinstating a Preamble to the Norfolk Island Act, and is currently considering the Preamble developed by the NIGC through extensive community engagement.

*An ordinance can be easily changed by the responsible Federal Minister of the day with little to no Parliamentary scrutiny, undermining long-term governance stability.

*While establishing the Assembly is a positive step, leaving it subject to the complexities and shortcomings of the current NI Act is not. Our community deserve a clear and enduring governing constitution that instils confidence in their future and ensures transparent, democratic, and accountable governance.

The Australian Government in November 2024 announced its policy framework for Norfolk Island’s future governance. This framework was strongly opposed by the elected representatives, as well as the community due to its close resemblance to the NSW local government model, which has been repeatedly rejected since 2016.

The NIGC has reached consensus on a balance between the community model published by the elected representatives in May 2024 and the Australian Government framework in November 2024.

The NIGC has agreed that the recommendation to the Minister be that the Norfolk Island Assembly independently has local and state type law-making authority.

As your elected representatives we continue to raise within the NIGC forum the matters of importance to the community including population management mechanisms, community control over Norfolk Island’s Crown Land, reserves, and public land, financial sustainability and more.

The Norfolk Island Governance Committee (NIGC) is recommending to the Minister that the Norfolk Island Assembly will be able to make laws and exercise powers about independently delivering local and state-type services.

The Queensland Government would continue to deliver health support, education and corrective services in Norfolk Island, in consultation with the Assembly.

If the new Norfolk Island Assembly does not have law-making authority beyond that of traditional local government responsibilities, it will continue to perpetuate the inadequacies of the Regional Council model.

All parties, including the Commonwealth, have acknowledged that the current council model has failed.

The Norfolk Island community deserves better.

For more information please visit www.norfolkislandgovernance.com

As your elected community representatives on the Norfolk Island Governance Committee (NIGC) we are promoting the following model of governance for Norfolk Island.

The Norfolk Island Assembly will make laws and provide services on Norfolk Island:

* The Assembly will have the authority to make laws and exercise powers to independently deliver local and state level services, with certain functions reserved for the approval of the Federal Minister, as prescribed by schedule (in legislation).

* The Australian Government will deliver federal services (e.g. NDIS, Medicare, etc), and will engage the Queensland Government to deliver health support, education, and corrective services on Norfolk Island - in consultation with the Assembly.

Some people in the community might believe what we are trying to do will diminish the path that is being taken by others to the United Nations. This is not the case.

All of the different governance groups on Norfolk Island have the same goal – we need and deserve to have something better than the current model.

While the path to the UN and other avenues continue to be pursued by others, our goals and their goals are not mutually exclusive. As the UN states – all people’s have the right of self-determination to determine their political status and freely pursue their economic, social, and cultural development.

We all want what is best fe Norf’k.