NORFOLK ISLAND – A cross party delegation of British MPs has called on Australia to review its decision to remove the autonomy of Norfolk Island.

Norfolk’s limited self-government was removed a year ago and Canberra replaced it in July with a regional council within New South Wales.

The changes have infuriated many on Norfolk Island who now want to change the Australian politicians’ mind.

The MPs, two from Britain’s ruling Conservative party and one from Labour, were invited to Norfolk by the People for Democracy group, which pleaded with Westminster not to forget about the island.

Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell spoke with Radio New Zealand’s Koroi Hawkins before the delegations departure from the island – and said they are baffled as to why Australia has seenfit to take away the island’s democratic autonomy.

“Well we have been in Norfolk Island for the past three to four days and we have had the privilege of touring the island visiting local people. Visiting the school the hospital, meeting locally elected representatives.

“And we also had meetings with the administrator of the island and local people in general to, to see what is going on and to assess the situation.”

DATELINE PACIFIC: And what is your verdict?

“I am very surprised really – because I look at New Zealand and how successful New Zealand has been in ensuring that its territories – Cook Islands, Niue, Tokelau – are looked after and have their local rights to make their own decisions.

“The Cook Islands is a great example of a territory that wants to continue to have free association with New Zealand that they make their own local decisions.

“I am baffled, I don’t know why Australia has seen the need to essentially close down the democracy of Norfolk Island.

“I understand they need help but Britain has lots of territories and dependencies and we help them to be sustainable – we don’t close down their elected parliaments and assemblies. We look after them and work with them in a co-operative way.

“So I am baffled and I think Australia does need to answer a lot more questions.

“We leave very sad because the Norfolk Island people seem to us to be deeply hurt at what has happened and I do think there needs to be a review and I do appeal to Canberra to rethink what they are doing here.”

DATELINE PACIFIC: Did you put any of that to the Australian administrator on the island, what was his response?

“Well he rejects almost everything we say. He repeats the idea that Norfolk Island is a part of Australia but I find it hard to understand that because it is an external territory – it is not, it has never been, a part of the commonwealth it has never had the same status within Australia that say Queensland has or Tasmania has.

“And equally so as New Zealand and Britain both have territories and dependencies which are not integrated into either New Zealand or the United Kingdom

“And I think Norfolk Island has a similar status – for instance last night we came to a public meeting there were three or four hundred people there. That is thirty-odd per cent of the island population turning out to a public meeting – and I have met people that have been in tears.

“People are worried about their future. And, you know, I love Australia – I think Australia is a great country, I am chairman of the Australia friendship group in the British parliament – I don’t want to say anything against Australia because you know they are our best friends along with New Zealand – but this seems to me to be a misjudgment

“And it’s very sad because the Norfolk Island people are the kindest, most gentle folk that I have ever come across and they simply want to defend their culture, their heritage and their right to self-governance .

“Yes, Australia should help, of course they should. But they should do it in a consensual way, not imposing things against the wishes of the people.”

DATELINE PACIFIC: Looking forward, what actions can your group of MPs take?

“Well, we are a cross party delegation. This is an initial delegation, there may be further delegations – certainly there will be issues we will need to raise with the Australian High Commissioner when we get back to London and the Australian government.

“Issues with our own government because of course it was the United Kingdom that entrusted Australia to protect Norfolk Island, giving them administrative powers in Norfolk Island and you know it is a worrying situation.

“And I think it is our duty to go back and to continue to take an interest and to try and help as much as we can.

“I think that, I hope in any case, that Australia notes what we have done and why we have come here.

“I mean – look I will be honest with you – we are British MPs and we have constituencies back home and we have huge issues in our own country particularly after Brexit where we are leaving the EU.

“So for us to spend our time to come here has been a hugecommitment and we have done it because we are fearful of the implications of this and Australia’s reputation as a democracy upholding freedom and liberty is very important.

“But equally so, protecting people of British descent who have always lived peacefully and happily in Norfolk Island, their homeland, and I think something needs to be done to rectify things.

“And if Britain can help in some way to try to get things back on track by working with Australia and the Norfolk Island people – then we are happy to be of service because we share a common heritage.”

- Dateline Pacific

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