HAVING OUR SAY

Funnily enough, as you move around Norfolk Island, you do not actually hear a great deal of discussion about Australia's plans to alter Norfolk Island's constitutional status.
In the first day or two after the Minister's announcement, a departmental officer was heard to comment that we must be happy with the proposals, because she had not seen any banners or demonstrations.
Maybe she thought she was back in Australia, but things work rather differently here on the island.
First of all, you would have to allow for the shell-shock that most of us experienced. Many described a feeling of intense, almost physical anxiety, stomach churning, loss of appetite and sleep, depression. It took a few days to get that under control.
Even those who had access to the Minister during his visit were told in no uncertain terms that the proposals were not negotiable in their basic form, although the detail would be open for consultation. However, as we were not actually given much detail, there was very little basis for constructive discussion.
Then you must remember that this is a small community...fewer than 2000 people. I myself would not describe it as "closely-knit" or "clannish", terms journalists love to use. However, we do live and work and socialise alongside each other all the time, and we need to accommodate and manage situations where there is going to be a diversity of views. There would be a distinct tendency to avoid political or controversial topics in most situations where a group of people are gathered together, lest it give rise to uncomfortable or resentful feelings. That is part of the courteous nature of the Norfolk people.
There have definitely been plenty of one-to-one discussions, and more relaxed interchange in cases where you know the others feel just like you do. Frequently, visitors have come out openly and asked "How do you feel about it?" Even then, one would be cautious in stating a view if others were present.
We do have good access to our Legislative Assembly members, but unfortunately most of them know very little more than we do. And not everyone is comfortable with a Letter to the Editor. The minister made it clear he would welcome views and submissions being directed to his department, and no doubt many have done this.
However, it was greatly welcomed when NAG (Norfolk Action Group), which is a forum for people to state their views on Norfolk affairs, and convey these views to the government here, decided to hold a HAVE YOUR SAY forum over two days in Rawson Hall.
Booths were set up for different areas of possible discussion - e.g. taxation, environment, social welfare etc., and there were sheets of butcher's paper for us to write our views. As each sheet was filled, it was taped to the wall. It was good to read the views of others, and gave food for thought.
The comments were, of course, anonymous, but one senior gentleman, who loves this island dearly and is one of our "national treasures", asked if he should sign his name. They said he did not need to, but he insisted "But I want to!!" If you wished, you could write on a card and place it in a box. Some people brought prepared written views. Various information sheets were placed around in prominent positions, such as a list of types of Australian taxes. At one end, there was a "worry wall" (or "wailing wall") on which you could pose questions or express general concerns.
I attended the forum on two occasions, and each time there were some government ministers and assembly members taking the opportunity to listen, talk, ask questions, and read what people were writing.
It was an extremely positive and constructive activity, and a large number of people took advantage of the chance to ask questions, state concerns, read how other people were feeling, or generally let off steam.
N.A.G. will now collate the responses, and make them available for the Assembly and the Minister and his Department. In view of the fact that we are not to be allowed to express our views or accept/reject the proposal through fair and democratic means, this may have been the only real opportunity for Norfolk Island to have its say.