Community update on proposal for new governing body

In line with the Minister’s request to the NIGC, on 28 June 2024, the Minister was provided with the key elements of the new governance model developed by the NIGC and informed by consensus agreements made at the two-day workshop held in Brisbane 12 and 13 June 2024. These include:

• The enactment of new primary legislation to establish a Norfolk Island Assembly with lawmaking authority. The Assembly will be able to make new Norfolk Island laws that will over time replace the Norfolk Island Continued Laws, restoring a more direct and simplified approach to democratic law-making for Norfolk Island.

• Continuation of the Norfolk Island judicial arrangements

• Continuation of Queensland service delivery for health support services, correctional services, and education on Norfolk Island

• Consideration of alternative revenue sources to replace rates.

Though there is broad consensus on these agreements made to date, the NIGC acknowledges there is still much work to do on the details of the governance model. This includes:

• transitional arrangements

• new public service and administration of Norfolk Island

• development of a sustainable revenue model.

The NIGC agrees there is an ongoing need for community consultation on the further work to come in creating a bespoke governance model for Norfolk Island in cooperation with the Australian and Queensland Governments.

Providing these key elements to the Minister at this time was an important but initial step towards being able to establish the new governance model as soon as possible, which we know is important to the Norfolk Island community. The NIGC acknowledges the community’s feedback that it wants more engagement in developing the model, and will work to better meet the community’s needs in this respect.

Public information about the NIGC will be distributed through Norfolk Island media and online at https://www.norfolkislandgover... or on DITRDCA’s website at https://www.infrastructure.gov.au/territories-regions-cities/territories/norfolk-island/norfolkisland- governance-administration/norfolk-island-governance-committee.

Contact NorfolkIslandGovernance@infrastructure.gov.au or the community representatives directly on NIGCcommunityreps@gmail.com.