The Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories has released its report for its inquiry into local governance on Norfolk Island.

Media release issue date: Monday, 27 November 2023

The Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories has today released its report for its inquiry into local governance on Norfolk Island. The Committee has made seven recommendations which provide the foundation for a new democratically elected governing body to be established on the island. Chair of the Committee, Ms Alicia Payne MP, said: ‘the Committee is proud to be part of the process of restoring democracy to Norfolk Island. It has recommended the creation of a new bespoke governing body comprising a majority of locally elected members working with representatives appointed by the Australian Government to deliver the best outcomes for Norfolk Islanders and Australians alike’. ‘Central to the Committee’s recommendations is the inclusion of a preamble in the governing legislation’, Ms Payne said.‘The purpose of this preamble is to recognise the unique culture, traditions, heritage and history of Norfolk Island, and to set out the nature of the relationship between Norfolk Island and Australia now and into the future’. Other recommendations made in the report relate to building local capacity on Norfolk Island to support the new governance arrangements, the need for broad community consultation to inform the final governance model, and for that model to be determined by a binding compulsory vote of registered voters on Norfolk Island. The Committee has recommended that the findings of its report be referred to the newly established Norfolk Island Governance Committee for further consultation with the community. The full report can be found on the Committee’s inquiry webpage. Media inquiries Hamish McLennan Office of Alicia Payne MP, Committee Chair Hamish.mclennan@aph.gov.au 0421 276 788 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4355 JSCNCET@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

The Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories will visit Norfolk Island from 3 to 5 April 2023.

Media release issue date: Wednesday, 8 March 2023

The Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories will visit Norfolk Island from 3 to 5 April 2023. The Committee will hold meetings with the local community to inform its inquiry into local governance on Norfolk Island. Alicia Payne MP, Committee Chair, said, “As we take the next steps towards restoring local democracy, the Committee wants to hear directly from the Norfolk Island community about what they think will work best for them. “The Committee is looking forward to meeting and talking with Norfolk Islanders, and undertaking site visits on the island,” Ms Payne said. “There will be a number of opportunities for people to meet the Committee and share their views on the matters listed in the terms of reference, including public hearings, private meetings and opportunities to connect virtually if community members prefer. Anyone who would like to contribute to the inquiry should contact the secretariat as soon as possible and we will do our best to facilitate your preferred method of engagement.” Written submissions to the inquiry will remain open until 24 March 2023. Further information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to participate, is available on the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Hamish McLennan Office of Alicia Payne MP, Committee Chair Hamish.mclennan@aph.gov.au 0421 276 788 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4355 JSCNCET@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.

The Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories will examine restoring local government on Norfolk Island as part of a new inquiry.

Media release issue date: Thursday, 9 February 2023

The Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories will examine restoring local government on Norfolk Island as part of a new inquiry.    The Committee will examine different models of local government and revenue collection to determine the most appropriate approach that accords with the culture of Norfolk Island and provides for a financially sustainable future. “This inquiry is about the future of Norfolk Island, its governance and economic sustainability,” said Committee Chair Alicia Payne MP. “Most importantly, the inquiry is focused on improving democracy for people on Norfolk Island.” “The views of the local community will be central to this process,” Ms Payne said. The Committee plans to visit Norfolk Island over the coming months to hear directly from Norfolk Islanders about what they would like for their community. People seeking to participate in the inquiry can engage with the Committee in a number of ways including by making a submission, at an upcoming public meeting or confidentially. Submissions to the inquiry will remain open until 24 March 2023. Further information on the inquiry, including the terms of reference and how to contribute, is available on the Committee’s website. Media inquiries Hamish McLennan Office of Alicia Payne MP, Committee Chair Hamish.mclennan@aph.gov.au 0421 276 788 For background information Committee Secretariat 02 6277 4355 JSCNCET@aph.gov.au For more information about this Committee, you can visit its website. On the site, you can make a submission to an inquiry, read other submissions, and get details for upcoming public hearings. You can also track the Committee and receive email updates by clicking on the blue ‘Track this Committee’ button in the bottom right hand corner of the page.