Norfolk Island trip recap

Dear Norfolk Islanders

Thank you for welcoming me to your home last week.

I was thrilled to be able to meet so many locals on my visit and can’t wait to return and spend more time with the community.

It was fantastic to meet with a wide range of businesses, community groups and local leaders and I can honestly say I was struck by the passion everyone has for Norfolk Island.

Norfolk Island is a community in every sense of the word. While people have differing views, everyone is united in their love for their home and their determination to see Norfolk Island thrive. I had the great opportunity to meet the Norfolk Island Business Council, Norfolk Island Accommodation and Tourism Association, Women’s Advocacy Group Norfolk Island (WAGNI) Banyan Park Early Learning Centre staff, Norfolk Island Health and Residential Aged Care Service staff, the Council of Elders, Norfolk Island People for Democracy, Norfolk Island Chamber of Commerce and the Norfolk Island Central School.

Being my first trip to the Island, this visit was an invaluable opportunity for me to hear first-hand about the challenges Norfolk Islanders are facing and start an open dialogue about how we can work better together.

I won’t sugar coat it, I had a lot of honest and robust discussions. These discussions weren’t easy but I do strongly believe that the most difficult conversations are often the most important.

I want to thank everyone who took the time out of their busy lives to meet with me, to share your concerns and to help me to understand your experience.

My first stop when I arrived on Norfolk Island was to visit Foodlands. Thank you to Geoff who emailed me about the severe challenges he is experiencing. While I was unable to meet with Geoff on Island, I do believe it was hugely beneficial for me to see the supply shortages with my own eyes.

There’s no doubt in my mind that the key immediate priority for the Government is improving the reliability of shipping and freight. The freight issues impact all aspects of the Norfolk Island community from households to local businesses and the Norfolk economy.

The Government is working closely with shipping providers to increase the availability and reliability of sea freight. We are also looking at short-term measures to complement commercial sea freight services to alleviate the immediate shortage, including additional Government-subsidised air freight flights to help address critical shortfalls.

I have confirmed with the Department that there will be an additional three subsidised air freight flights which are planned for 6, 10 and 17 August. This is in addition to the current schedule of three flights per fortnight. I know there is much more that needs to be done though, which is why I’ve asked the Department to investigate other options.   

The Government is also developing a long-term sustainable shipping plan for Norfolk that will secure freight delivery and reduce the prospect of future supply shortages. It is clear to me that the future of shipping is in containerisation and I want to make sure the Norfolk Island community isn’t left behind.

As part of this long-term plan, I have tasked the Department to work more closely with Norfolk Island community members on shipping solutions. There’s a long history of shipping and freight on Norfolk Island and we need to be utilising the expertise Norfolk Islanders have gained over decades. We all share the same goal of securing reliable sea freight so it makes sense that we all work together to achieve this goal.

I want to thank the Council of Elders, Norfolk Island People for Democracy, Norfolk Island Chamber of Commerce and the Kingston and Arthur’s Vale Heritage Area (KAVHA) works crew for taking the time to sit down with me and help me learn more about the rich history and unique culture of Norfolk Island. There was a lot to discuss but it’s clear that more needs to be done to enhance community engagement, increase local decision making and cultural recognition.

Following this discussion, another priority of mine is to reinstate a Preamble to the Norfolk Island Act 1979, which set out the history of governance arrangements for Norfolk Island before it was repealed in 2015.

I am keen to work with the community to reinstate a Preamble that recognises the relationship of descendants of the settlers from Pitcairn Island with Norfolk Island, their traditions, culture and history.

Thank you again to everyone who showed me around the school, Banyan Park, NIHRACS, the National Park and Kingston. I cannot express how grateful I am for everyone’s hospitality.

I know there is so much more to see – I am hopeful to spot a Green Parrot on my next walk through the beautiful National Park – and so many more people to talk to so I am already working with my office to see when I can return.

Looking forward to catching up again soon!

Kristy McBain