Photo: Norfolk Government
The Australian Government has dismissed the Norfolk Island Regional Council, replacing it with an administrator for the next three years.
This follows the suspension of the council and the deferment of elections a year ago.
Norfolk Island. Archway into OMB...slogan reads "Don't give up We will win" Photo: supplied
The regional council was brought in by Canberra to replace Norfolk Island's semi-autonomous legislature five years ago.
It had very few powers compared with old set up and Norfolk Islanders had no say in its establishment.
With it gone the islanders are effectively without any democratic representation, beyond Norfolk's odd placement in the suburban Canberra seat of Bean in the federal parliament.
There is no representation at state level and even if there was it wouldn't mean anything because Norfolk's thousand or so votes carry little weight on the mainland.
The new administrator is Michael Colreavy, whose background is in small town local government in New South Wales.
Norfolk Mayor, Robin Adams Photo: Virtual Island Summit
The dismissed mayor, Robyn Adams said in a statement, "to say that I now have grave concerns for the future of our community; for our way of life; for our ability to continue to afford living here; for our employees; for the level and standard of services provided to our community into the future; for the absence of local decision-making; for the protection of our community-owned assets, and for the mental health of our community - would be an understatement."
