Alan Ferguson (SA, Deputy-President) Share this | Hansard source

I only rise to speak briefly to the Territories Law Reform Bill 2010, and I do so with regard to the fact that for the past three years and a bit I have been on the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories and in that time have managed to build up a relationship with the Norfolk Islanders through the visits that we have made to that place and through the representations we have made to them; in fact, we have listened to their concerns as they have spoken to us. I have enormous regard for Norfolk Island and its people, and the committee members have done their best—certainly in my time—to do what they believe is best in the interests of Norfolk Island and the people that live there.

It is quite common knowledge that there is a divergence of views on Norfolk Island as to what is the best way forward for them during very tough economic times, and this bill is a result of a number of inquiries where proposals have been brought to governments in order to try and alleviate some of the problems that exist there but also to help them determine their own future and in some way overcome the enormous difficulties that have been exacerbated by the global financial crisis because they rely almost totally on tourism for survival.

I believe that this bill that has been brought forward by the government is really only the start of what is required to help Norfolk Island ensure its future. We have seen a change of heart from the people of Norfolk Island and the legislature on Norfolk Island, because it is only some six to nine months ago that we held a public inquiry there on this legislation where the island’s government and many members of the population were totally opposed to what was proposed by the government. I am very delighted to see that in recent times that view has changed in relation to the proposal that has been put forward by the government, which is supported by the opposition—in fact, many of the proposals that are brought forward in this were proposals that were brought to the previous government by the committee in its previous incarnation. The change of heart by Chief Minister David Buffett and many of the members of that council and the population of the island, I think, is welcome, and I would encourage the very close cooperation between the government, the joint committee, the legislature on Norfolk Island and the people of Norfolk Island, who have, as I said, a wide range of views.

While this spirit and mood of cooperation are in place, we should tackle some of the other very difficult problems that currently face Norfolk Island to maintain its economy and to improve quality of life for the people on that island. It is only a small population. It is a population of historic significance. Many of the people there have historical connections back to the mutiny on the Bounty and Pitcairn Island. There is a difference of view amongst islanders, which you often find in small communities. We need to do the best that we can to help them solve their problems—not to force changes on them but to make sure that we work together with the Norfolk Islanders to improve their quality of life. My own personal view is that the sooner Norfolk Island is brought within the Australian taxation regime, so that they become part of our whole economic system and people can have the advantages and benefits of welfare and of our Medicare system, the better. I believe in my own mind that probably 80 or 90 per cent of the Norfolk Islanders would be much better off, not worse off as some of them say. But that is something for the future and something that we must discuss with the Norfolk Islanders until we come to an agreed arrangement where they feel confident that what the federal government is doing is ensuring a better future for them and not just imposing more control over their daily lives.

I would also commend the work of the former chair of the joint committee, Senator Kate Lundy, who for the past three years has worked very closely with the Norfolk Island people and, I think, has helped to get us to the position we are in today. I hope that in the future we can see those on Norfolk Island, the government and the committee working closely together for the betterment of those people.