Norfolk Islanders demand autonomy as representative resigns over Australian control

Norfolk Island, a territory of Australia, has been grappling with increasing dissatisfaction among its residents regarding the governance imposed by the Australian federal government. Following the administrative changes made in 2015, where the federal government appointed an administrator and took over funding and delivery of all government services with the aid of New South Wales, there has been a significant outcry for more local governance. The local Norfolk Island Regional Council found itself in financial difficulties soon after elections were held in 2016, further fueling the frustrations of the islanders who felt sidelined. In 2021, an inquiry into the council's financial management was conducted, revealing significant shortcomings in adherence to financial principles. Consequently, the government appointed Michael Colreavy as the new administrator, and a Norfolk Island Governance Committee was established to provide recommendations on future governance. Despite this, residents have faced a continuous absence of representation in Australian politics, as Norfolk Island is attached to the Canberra seat of Bean without a direct voice in decision-making. This discontent has prompted campaigns for autonomy or even independence from Australia, with Norfolk Islanders appealing to international bodies such as the United Nations for support. These campaigns have been exacerbated by the Australian government's dismissal of local governance processes that were originally intended to empower residents. One of the elected representatives, who was involved in these governance efforts, recently resigned in protest against the Australian government, declaring that they have no intention of honoring the community’s wishes. The planned changes to governance for the island in 2025 are seen as insufficient and are viewed as a continuation of a model which maintains the residents' limited autonomy and fails to address broader community concerns. The upcoming governance changes include new laws based on the Queensland Local Government Act but will retain existing Commonwealth laws, which has furthered skepticism among residents. Many locals argue that these adjustments fail to secure a genuinely democratic future for the island, as they retain a framework that has proven to be inefficient and unresponsive to the needs of the community. With a legacy that traces back to the ancestors of Pitcairn Islanders, the residents feel a historical claim to autonomy that they believe is neglected by current Australian governance.