Norfolk Island residents divided over takeover plans

To the tourists who alight at Norfolk Island's picturesque airport, this speck of land in the South Pacific seems like paradise.

[Toni Bowman]

I love Norfolk Island having been there 5 times in the last 10 years and we are going back there again in December. It is a lovely place to go and relax and i think if Canberra took over this place will never be the same again . Please help them out Don't take them over
Thanks Toni

[Sunshine]

Toni Bowman wrote:

I love Norfolk Island having been there 5 times in the last 10 years and we are going back there again in December. It is a lovely place to go and relax and i think if Canberra took over this place will never be the same again . Please help them out Don't take them over
Thanks Toni

What plan takeover? Norfolk Island has always been part of Australia.

[Rod Downie]

Australia is ignoring the democratic will of the Norfolk Island people who are steadfastly against being subject to Australian laws, and being treated just like another Australian town. Norfolk Island has evolved separately over the last 150 years to Australia with its own laws, and the majority of the people have their own customs, traditions, language, etc. and have no affinity with Australia.

The Australian Government refuse to allow Norfolk Island to present its own proposals for financial sustainability or hold a referendum. It is not about finacial sustainability but about political control and uniformity. There proposed actions are unjust and undemocratic.

It is said they have plans to build a detainee centre on Norfolk
island which would be cheaper than the one they have on the island of Nauru. They also plan to exploit oil reserves close to Norfolk Island.

If Australia's threatened takeover it was simply about financial sustainability, they would consider the Norfolk Island Government new proposals which are supported by the Norfolk Island people. They refuse to negotiate about anything except the two options being presented by the Federal Government, both of which involve a takeover.

Norfolk Island is not part of Australia, and never has been. It was given to the Norfolk Island people by Queen Victoria to rule themsleves. It has never been annexed by Australia. Stay tuned to the High Court action currently in the courts (Norfolk vs. Australia).

Almost every tourist visiting Norfolk Island says please don't let Australia take over as it will ruin the island's unique peaceful way of life.

[Nutmeg]

I think it is not good that Australia has decided to 'cancel' self government. The reality is due to nepotism, corruption and ineptitude (sorry no spell check) over the past 27 years the Island is worse than broke. The roads are bad, the medical system is collapsing (despite the best effort of those fine staff) and it is simply living beyond its means. I think it is better that Australia steps in at this stage and not allow the situation to collapse further to a Nauru situation or even worse (God forbid) Solomon, Fiji or Papua New Guinea model.

I am proud to say I grew up on Norfolk but now realise with great sadness that many of the problems on Norfolk have been caused by "ucklun" and nobody on Norfolk can truly solve the problems - it needs an outsider detached from the emotional issues.

That said, maybe in a few years time Norfolk can self govern, but strong changes need to be made.

[Rod Downie]

Australia have based their forecast that Norfolk ISland is going broke on the Acumen Report. The Acumen Report indicates that although 90% of Norfolk Island's roads are already sealed (the only two that are not selaed are owned by The National Parks of Australia (Commonwealth)), the island needs to spend a whopping $86 mil on roads, with $32 million in the first year. This is ludicrous, and is not even possible. You couldn't spend this amount with all the good intentions in the world - it is not physically possible. If this figure was brought back to a realistic level like $1.1 million per year, Norfolk Island would be showing a healthy surplus even with making large provisions for asset mainenance and renewal.

The bottom line is Norfolk is not even close to being broke. It is introducing a new levy called the Norfolk Sustainability Levy, and is not standing still.

The pretext that Australia is using to takeover Norfolk Island is false. It is about political control and not about economic sustainability, about unifomraity and control - eveything else is a smokescreen. Australia refuses to follow a democractic process in its approach to this matter, and is ignoring the will of the majority of the people. It is trying to win hearts and minds using misleading propaganda booklets in every Norfolk Islander's mail box. Don't be fooled by the Australia Government - they are acting in their self-interest not yours!

[Graham]

I am sure an arrangement can be made with Australia that Norfolk Island can continue its way of life and low tax etc. Maybe they can do as Gibraltar has done and get the online gambling companies and financial services to set up shop there. Gibraltar is fast becoming the jewel in the Med. and in an election a couple of years back voted almost 99% to stay British and not a joint British/Spanish authority so the locals had their say and the British P.M. listened and now they are to get more self government under leadership of their Chief Minister. Gibraltar has a population of about 28,000 however over 7 million people a year visit the place, most by trotting across the airport runway which has traffic lights when a plane comes in... wonderful!!

[Rod Downie]

Norfolk Island could be absolutely independent as it would free itself of the shackles that Australia has imposed on its ability to raise funds as other territories such as Gilbralter has done, through online gambling, offshore financial services, tertiary education, government bonds, etc. Australia does not allow the Norfolk Island government to permit any of these activities. It is trying to foster complete dependence and is now about to remove its main source of revenue from Customs. This will ensure greater dependency on Australia, more Australian political control and uniformity.

[elvis costello]

It's not just Norfolk Island the Feds are targeting. Costello and Howard would love to disempower all the States as well in a number of ways. It wants to take over ports. Federal law is one thing - federal administration quite another.
By the way, where the hell did they dredge up that Speaker in Fed Parliament?

[Chef]

Rod Downie wrote:

Australia have based their forecast that Norfolk ISland is going broke on the Acumen Report. The Acumen Report indicates that although 90% of Norfolk Island's roads are already sealed (the only two that are not selaed are owned by The National Parks of Australia (Commonwealth)), the island needs to spend a whopping $86 mil on roads, with $32 million in the first year. This is ludicrous, and is not even possible. You couldn't spend this amount with all the good intentions in the world - it is not physically possible. If this figure was brought back to a realistic level like $1.1 million per year, Norfolk Island would be showing a healthy surplus even with making large provisions for asset mainenance and renewal.
The bottom line is Norfolk is not even close to being broke. It is introducing a new levy called the Norfolk Sustainability Levy, and is not standing still.
The pretext that Australia is using to takeover Norfolk Island is false. It is about political control and not about economic sustainability, about unifomraity and control - eveything else is a smokescreen. Australia refuses to follow a democractic process in its approach to this matter, and is ignoring the will of the majority of the people. It is trying to win hearts and minds using misleading propaganda booklets in every Norfolk Islander's mail box. Don't be fooled by the Australia Government - they are acting in their self-interest not yours!

What will happen is nineteen terrorist's
will hijack plane's using boxcutter's.Fly to Australia crash them into landmark's,building's, Sydney Opera house etc.Johnny "boy" howie will then call in the australian army to
"rock and bore" there way in because there "intelligence" have detected chatter.It was the "shining sword's of Norfolken way".A terrorist group
devoutly believing in their right to exist from Australian occupation.P.s.Make sure you have no oil
or else Howie's mate's might come down too.

[elvis costello]

And now I see he's not happy with the history being taught in Australian Schools - cos he knows better, probably aided and abetted by Keith Windshuttle. Good God, it's becoming like NZ under Muldoon - a bloody cost accountant that sent us broke and regulated everything.
There'll be history lessons according to Howard, Economics according to Costello, English according to anything that makes it difficult for selected immigrants.
Maybe if everyone is so happy with Howard, you guys should just do away with the States and Territories.

[sam]

snorkeling is the best ive ever snorkeld in norfolk island i go here 5 times a year so yer id know
go snorkeling in emily bay around to slaughter bay its really good

[bob]

I think what they need is some fresh blood.
The gene pool is getting a bit shallow.

[Graham]

Have now seen Norfolk Island instead of pictures and it really is worth a visit, the cows seem to keep the place looking like a golf course with lovely blue skies most of the time and wonderful sunsets. It didnt look to me like the place was going bust, quite the opposite, everything was well run and the locals will become friends before you leave, I look forward to another visit.

[ruby]

Lubbe Norfolk. YES Send expert help, get it back on track, But for Goodness sake,Lubbe! or else Oz will kill yet another unique and beautiful culture.

[sandy]

i have been to Norfolk island once and plan to take my children over this year. it is a lovely island. snorkeling is the best, first time ive ever snorkel ,it really is worth a visit, learning about the history is also worth it, well done to locals for keeping that up and keeping the island so beautiful.it was so relaxing. It didn't look like the place was going bust,quite the opposite.

[Opal]

Islanders Beware...there might be a new tactic in the world today to quietly take over places, with no property damage.
It ???, cost us DEARLY, beware of any sudden or existing program in the area like these.
LOOK UP...COWARDLY SILENT KILLERS, who take what they want.
I hope you are spared this.
Here are two clue you in blogs:
A) http://www.squidoo.com/complain
B) http://www.squidoo.com/MCD
Please Lend Us A Vote IF you Visit.
Cheers~OS

[gadzooks]

gadzooks

Toni Bowman wrote:

I love Norfolk Island having been there 5 times in the last 10 years and we are going back there again in December. It is a lovely place to go and relax and i think if Canberra took over this place will never be the same again . Please help them out Don't take them over
Thanks Toni

[Kazzi]

Sunshine wrote:

<quoted text>What plan takeover? Norfolk Island has always been part of Australia.

Norfolk Island is a self-governing territory.

[Mick from Great Keppel]

Norfolk.........Pacific bogans..boaring, backward and live in the 18 century.........
Gotta move with the times people......into the 21st century!
Like it or lump it your part of Australia anyway...
If you want independence stop getting money off Australian taxpayers..........

[let me reiterate]

Rod Downie wrote:

Australia is ignoring the democratic will of the Norfolk Island people who are steadfastly against being subject to Australian laws, and being treated just like another Australian town. Norfolk Island has evolved separately over the last 150 years to Australia with its own laws, and the majority of the people have their own customs, traditions, language, etc. and have no affinity with Australia.
The Australian Government refuse to allow Norfolk Island to present its own proposals for financial sustainability or hold a referendum. It is not about finacial sustainability but about political control and uniformity. There proposed actions are unjust and undemocratic.
It is said they have plans to build a detainee centre on Norfolk
island which would be cheaper than the one they have on the island of Nauru. They also plan to exploit oil reserves close to Norfolk Island.
If Australia's threatened takeover it was simply about financial sustainability, they would consider the Norfolk Island Government new proposals which are supported by the Norfolk Island people. They refuse to negotiate about anything except the two options being presented by the Federal Government, both of which involve a takeover.
Norfolk Island is not part of Australia, and never has been. It was given to the Norfolk Island people by Queen Victoria to rule themsleves. It has never been annexed by Australia. Stay tuned to the High Court action currently in the courts (Norfolk vs. Australia).
Almost every tourist visiting Norfolk Island says please don't let Australia take over as it will ruin the island's unique peaceful way of life.

It had to be about dirty oil and money! So much for Krudd being Green! He truly is a power-hungry decepticon.