‘Disgruntled’ Norfolk MPs lead opposition to change

KINGSTON – Australia’s administrator on Norfolk Island says the opposition to reforms initiated by Canberra is being led by a few politicians who will lose their jobs.

Most recently the Norfolk Legislative Assembly has passed a Remonstrance Motion pleading for the governor general not to give the assent to the legislation taking away the island’s political autonomy.

Norfolk has also threatened to take its concerns to the United Nations.

But administrator Gary Hardgrave is unfazed.

He says he is putting the welfare of the poor on the island ahead of a bunch of disgruntled politicians.

“Four and a bit years ago they asked for change, change has now been delivered and now they are running around spending precious resources financing trips to various places while cars attached to the government’s administration fleet have bald tyres. It is a matter of priorities. I am putting the poor and the poorly resourced needs ahead of a few politicians, and I think that is a good thing.”