Norfolk Island Governance Committee
Election Platform
Rael Donde
I seek your trusted support to enable me to leverage my background, experience, and commitment to develop a governance model that is democratic, economically sustainable and meets the needs and aspirations of the community, recognizing the heritage, culture and traditions of the Pitcairn descendants.
Background
· Current Business: Operator of a successful Local Tourist Accommodation Business (20+ years).
· Previous international career: Senior Management roles in the Management Consulting practice of the Big 4 accounting firms and other multinationals.
· University degrees: Business Science and Computer Science.
· Character: diplomatic, respectful, analytical, collaborative, pragmatic, intellectual, hard-working.
Norfolk Island Experience
· Significant experience as President of the Norfolk Island Accommodation and Tourism Association (ATA) for the last 8 years.
· Extensive Track Record of advocating for return to democracy and right to self-determination.
· Good understanding, through direct experience, of current and previous Norfolk Island governance models.
· Demonstrated understanding of tourism, which is the dominant economic driver of the economy, but also an excellent understanding of the broader economic environment, potential revenue sources and its social and economic implications on community wellbeing and cost of living.
· Demonstrated respect for Norfolk Island heritage, culture, and traditions.
· Extensive Track Record of advocating with the Federal Government and Norfolk Island Regional Council to reduce the financial stress on businesses and the community, employing an evidence-based approach. Includes scores of written and verbal submissions, meetings with relevant parties, business surveys, etc.
· Track Record of Voluntary Support for the Community (eg. Emergency Management Committee, Tourism Advisory Committee, Tourism Board, ATA).
· Current Membership of ATA, Business Council and Chamber of Commerce. Demonstrated Track Record of respecting a diverse range of viewpoints.
· Member of Tourism Board for three years immediately prior to 2016. Member of Tourism Advisory Committee (TAC) for several years from 2016.
Commitments
· Address the most pressing short-term issues currently impacting the well-being of the community, including land rates, without waiting for the full implementation of a new governance framework.
· Reinstate the Preamble to the Norfolk Island Act which recognises that Norfolk Island is first and foremost the home of the descendants of the settlers from Pitcairn Island. These descendants are a proud, resourceful, caring, and peaceful people, and whose needs are paramount.
· Restore the right of the Norfolk Island people to hold referendums.
· Engage constructively with the local community, business and other organisations, and government entities to develop a governance framework that aligns with the needs, rights, and aspirations of the community, and builds trust and collaboration between all parties.
· Design safeguards to prevent any future changes to the accepted governance model without the consent of the Norfolk Island people.
· Analyse the implications of various potential sources of revenue available under a new governance framework before providing any specific recommendations. Develop a sustainable Funding Model.
· Consider the most appropriate entity and means for each service delivery area.
· Agree on the functions and laws that will be administered by Norfolk Island, with appropriate capacity and funding, giving weight to local decision making and autonomy.
· Advocate for a democratic and representative Norfolk Island government with the right to draft its own laws and regulations consistent with the needs of the community.
· Advocate for acceptance of the results of the 2015 Norfolk Island Referendum which was supported by an overwhelming majority, recognizing the “right of the people of Norfolk Island to freely determine their political status, economic, social and cultural development, and that the people also be consulted at referendum or plebiscite on the future model of governance for Norfolk Island, before such changes are acted upon by the Australian Parliament”.
· Advise the Federal Government to inscribe Norfolk Island in the United Nations as a non-self-governing territory, and to fulfil its international obligations under Article 73e of the United Nations Charter XI to allow for an act of Self-Determination for the people of Norfolk Island.