JSC Recommendations
14 December 2023
The Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories (JSC) has published its report Restoring Democracy – Inquiry into Local Governance on Norfolk Island.
At the formal meeting of the Norfolk Island Governance Committee on 6 December 2023, it was agreed that community consultations will focus on responding to the seven recommendations in the JSC report. Members of the community are encouraged to attend the community engagement sessions held on Wednesdays in the Rawson Hall, Supper Room between 4:00pm and 6:00pm to discuss and comment on the recommendations.
Written submissions are also encouraged and can be lodged with community representatives through nigccommunityreps@gmail.com or the Office of the Administrator.
In the meantime, work is continuing to develop a bespoke model of governance for Norfolk Island.
The seven recommendations are as follows:.
Recommendation 1
6.112 The Committee recommends that the Norfolk Island Governance Committee incorporate into its terms of reference consideration of the development of a preamble for the establishing legislation that:
- recognises the culture, traditions, heritage and history of Norfolk Island;
- defines the nature of the relationship between Norfolk Island and Australia; and
- sets out the shared aspirations for the future direction of the relationship.
Recommendation 2
6.121 The Committee recommends a new bespoke model of local governance for Norfolk Island, to be enacted through Commonwealth legislation after thorough community consultation to define some key aspects of the model.
Recommendation 3
6.127 The Committee recommends that the new governing body include both democratically elected and appointed members with specific expertise in public administration, and that:
- the governing body consist of at least six members;
- a majority of members be elected, with elected members holding the balance of power on the body;
- the appointed positions be reserved for individuals with expertise in relevant matters of public administration, selected via a merit-based process that preferences qualified local community members where possible; and
- capacity building be a key responsibility of the governing body to ensure that more Norfolk Islanders are qualified to hold future governance positions either in the governing body or local administration, and in the procurement of goods and services by the administration.
Recommendation 4
6.132 The Committee recommends that the Norfolk Island community have a say in the governing body, including that:
- the recommendations contained in this report be referred to the Norfolk Island Governance Committee for further consultation and refinement;
- this consultation and refinement result in a model that includes a clearly defined preamble for the establishing legislation, the size of the governing body, the specific expertise required by this governing body, and the revenue models to be incorporated into the establishing legislation; and
- a binding, compulsory vote of registered voters on Norfolk Island is required to approve the final model determined by the Norfolk Island Governance Committee.
Recommendation 5
6.134 The Committee recommends that the first elections for the new governing body should be held prior to December 2024.
Recommendation 6
6.138 The Committee recommends that the governing body be adaptive and supportive of the unique local history and identity of Norfolk Island, and that:
- the new Commonwealth legislation contain the form of the preamble developed by the Norfolk Island Governance Committee; and
- the legislation contain provisions for periodic review to ensure that the governing body is adaptable and can meet the future needs and interests of both Norfolk Island and Australia.
Recommendation 7
6.145 The Committee recommends that the responsibilities of the new governing body and the mechanism for local input into Commonwealth and State responsibilities be clearly defined following the restoration of local democracy on Norfolk Island, including that:
- to ensure Commonwealth and State services meet local needs—the governing body should have a formal advisory role in relation to education, health, population strategy, heritage management, biosecurity, sea-freight and tourism;
- the management of key historical sites of cultural importance to the local community be subject to joint management between the Commonwealth and the local community; and
- these matters be incorporated into the terms of reference of the Norfolk
Island Governance Committee for further local consultation and refinement.
The full report can be accessed at the following link: