Your petitioners ask that the House of Representatives and the Senate: Before voting on any Bill to change governance arrangements for Norfolk Island established by the Norfolk Island Act 1979 of the Commonwealth, that the residents of Norfolk Island have the right to be provided the facts and consulted at referendum or plebiscite and have a democratic say on the future model of governance for Norfolk Island before any proposed changes are voted on by the House of Representatives or the Senate.

Norfolk Island has been a self-governing external territory of Australia since 1979.  It is acknowledged that some reform is required on Norfolk Island and the Norfolk Island Government’s preferred model for the future is a Territory style of self-governance.

In recent weeks the responsible Australian Minister, Assistant Minister Briggs, advised Norfolk Island Government Minister’s that changes to their governance arrangements would be made without community or government consultation and the submission to the Federal Cabinet did not include their preferred model. 

The Norfolk Island Government and community have not seen the Cabinet Submission or the Australian Government’s proposed future governance models for Norfolk Island.  This is unacceptable and is in no way democratic. Please sign the petition and support the people of Norfolk Island to have a say in their future.