A THIRD OPTION

We had all been looking forward to this, our sesqui-centenary year, as a time for celebrating all the good things about Norfolk Island, and all we have achieved in the past 15o years.
Instead we find much of our time and energy is being directed towards resisting the push by the Australian government to take away the self-government that we fought so hard for.
However, most of us are also being realistic and responsible, and we are looking at the changes we need to make to ensure we continue to be a viable community.
Yes, Australia has presented two solutions for us to choose from. But we would rather develop our own.
Why?
1.Well, we really think we are in a better position here to know what sort of things will work best for Norfolk Island and its people, without damaging our culture and our proud traditions.
2.We elected our Legislative assembly to manage our island, and we want to support them in their efforts. We did not elect DOTARS, or Minister Lloyd, or their representatives and their endless committees.
3.We really want the best for our island and its people.
4. We really believe that Canberra's "solutions" to our current difficulties will leave us in a far worse economic position than before.

Let's face it...we have not been shown one shred of evidence that changing the model of governance will help us maintain a viable economy and a sustainable community.
So we are actively thinking about it for ourselves.

We know we will probably have to make changes that will involve changes in our spending, our budgeting, and the way we order our finances. We also need to accept that we may need to deal with a little more paperwork, and possibly privacy issues. We may need to pay more for the infrastructure, the facilities and the services we enjoy here.
All of this is infinitely preferable to having big-government solutions applied to small-island problems.

It has been suggested by some that we should ask Australia to give us more time to prove we can do it. They are quite used to shifting goalposts, so it should not be too hard for them to shift deadlines.

This is a clever island. We have lots of people here who have the will and the ability to come up with some creative solutions. These past few weeks have taught me that there are all sorts of people prepared to stand up for this island and its democratic rights. They include old and young, women and men, islanders and mainlanders, newcomers and long-standing residents.

If we all pull together, get behind our own elected government, speak up and act with positive strength and conviction, we can do it.

Give the third option for Norfolk Island a big tick.