WHAT DO WE REALLY NEED?

Once again the Commonwealth Government's exquisite sense of timing is displayed, with the announcement that they are giving $38 million in aid to Vanuatu to update their justice system.
Now in the Radio National interview with the Minister yesterday, when the issue of Norfolk Island starting to pay Australian taxes arose, the reporter asked why was it fair that we have not been paying taxes up till now. Mr Lloyd made no attempt to explain that we on Norfolk Island have received nothing from the Commonwealth either....no social services, aid etc. etc.
We pay for everything ourselves from our own locally raised revenues.
O.K....in recent years there have been two or three small loans for infrastructure improvements. Most of these have been directed at areas that they regard as Commonwealth property anyway.
They are currently spending quite a large amount of money on the Kingston pier, which they proudly boast is the oldest facility of its type in this part of the world. We know why this money is being spent, apart from the kudos they gain from it. It is Commonwealth property and there are potential litigation problems if there should be an accident there.
However, our own Cascade Pier(pictured above) is in far worse condition. If they were serious about helping with our transport problems, that is the one they would have been helping with.
Now $38million would go a long way to ensuring our future. We could develop harbour facilities which would slash our freight costs. We could upgrade our airport so that there was more flexibility in the types of aircraft able to fly here. Not that we are asking for that money. But there is a principle here.
If a community lacks clean water, you do not solve the problem by carting water in and selling it to them, and then telling them how they can and cannot use it.
You help them build a well and leave them to manage it!
You see, when they have given help, it is always what they think we need. A sign of things to come when we are totally at their mercy. Just as is the case in their other territories..Christmas and Cocos Islands, there could be massive amounts of money spent and wasted, but not directed at things that will truly improve quality of life.
This community has many ideas of what the Commonwealth can do if they sincerely respect our desire to maintain a very unique island. But nothing of what they propose to do, taking away our self-government, will improve our economic prospects one iota. And it will destroy our very real pride in managing things our way for the good of the people who call this place home.