Moving forward on the Norfolk Island Governance Committee

As part of the Australian Government’s commitment to enhancing democratic representation for Norfolk Island residents, the Norfolk Island Governance Committee (NIGC) will be established in October.

The committee will work to establish local priorities, which will help inform key decisions.

Its membership will include three democratically elected community representatives, the Norfolk Island Administrator, one representative from the Australian Government and one representative from the Queensland Government.

The proposed terms of reference for the NIGC have been developed in collaboration with the Council of Elders, NI People for Democracy, along with the Australian and Queensland Governments.

The election to select the Norfolk Islanders who will represent their fellow residents is set to take place in October 2023.

This timeline will support the inaugural meeting of the Committee to take place in October - where members will finalise and accept the Terms of Reference, subject to any changes agreed by consensus.

There will also be a range of opportunities to discuss the committee establishment and role with the Council of Elders, NI People for Democracy, the Administrator, and the Australian and Queensland Governments over the coming months.

Eligible Norfolk Island residents are encouraged to enrol to vote for those who will represent them on the committee ahead of the election.

For more information about how to vote and for more details on the Committee terms of reference, visit: www.infrastructure.gov.au/territories-regions-cities/territories/norfolk-island/norfolk-island-governance-committee.  

Quotes attributable to the Hon Kristy McBain MP, Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories:

“I know how important it is for Norfolk Islanders to have a say in the decisions of government that affect them, which is why I am committed to increasing democratic representation and local input opportunities for the community.

"As we continue to work to re-establish democratically elected governance on Norfolk Island, this Governance Committee will play a key role in the community having direct input in shaping a secure future for local people, as well as setting priorities for service delivery on island.

"That is why we want to establish it as soon as possible, so that people living on Norfolk Island can contribute their local knowledge and expertise to the invaluable work of the committee.

"I call on the Norfolk Island community to get involved in this process by nominating as community representatives and exercising their right to vote in the upcoming election process.”

Quotes attributed to David Smith MP, Member for Bean:

"It is important that Islanders have a democratic say on their service delivery.

"I have been advocating for a step like this for some time, and I thank the Minister and those local members of the community that have engaged in this process.

"It is good that local members of the community will be part of the oversight of the implementation of service delivery on Island.

"In addition to this I look forward to the outcome of the inquiry into governance of Norfolk Island that will hopefully recommend further avenues of democratic input.”