THE MAIN ISSUES

Since Minister Lloyd's announcement on February 20, Community concern and discussion seem to have focussed on three main issues.

THE ECONOMIC ISSUE
Some share Canberra's view that Norfolk can no longer provide for itself, while others feel that given a bit of help and support, we can recover from our current downturn and not only be sustainable but a vibrant economy.
There are some who would welcome the opportunity to receive an Australian pension and assistance in areas such as Health and Education, while others feel that Canberra's proposals would make self-reliance impossible, make business unaffordable and uncompetitive, and lead to a decrease in services and facilities we now enjoy.

THE RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY ISSUE
Several in our community have long held the view that Norfolk Island is very much part of Australia, and that Canberra is entitled to impose whatever regime it likes on Norfolk Island. At the other end of the scale are those who believe that Norfolk Island does not belong to Australia at all and continues to be a distinct and separate settlement. There are many shades of views in between, including those who accept that we are a territory under the Commonwealth of Australia, but that Canberra should not make decisions that affect us without consultation and our agreement. Often the question is what comes first ...our rights and responsibilities as Norfolk citizens or as Australians.

THE IDENTITY ISSUE
This is the area that arouses the most passion, and is very much bound up with the other two areas. Many feel that unless we are allowed to make our own choices and decisions about our way of life, our way of dealing with issues and with each other, and about our laws, then our culture and heritage are under threat. They feel their identity as a separate people is threatened by the 'Australianisation' process. Meanwhile others are satisfied that we can still live out our own culture and traditions even though we live under the Australian regime.

I believe there is an important fourth issue that we should all confront, and ask Australia to explain.

THE HONESTY ISSUE
To my way of thinking, Canberra has not been open or honest about why they are imposing their own laws and governance models on us. Nothing they are proposing can be shown to solve our economic difficulties which they state are the problem. They cannot give us any sound reason why we need to come under their Customs, Immigration and Quarantine umbrella, or why Commonwealth laws should apply here. They consistently deny us the right to pursue any initiatives that will help our sustainability. In fact, they place obstacles in our path. They speak about consultation and negotiation, but we are not allowed any input into the agenda. Everything they say to justify their actions sounds to me like a "furphy" and a distraction from the real issues.
Australia seems to need us more than we need them.
Is it "our" oil and other resources?
Is it for strategic reasons?
Is it because they are just tired of the Norfolk Anomaly?
Is it because this is one of the easier steps in their big neo-colonial push in the Pacific?
WE SHOULD RECOGNISE IT, AND CANBERRA SHOULD ADMIT IT.
THIS IS NOT ABOUT NORFOLK ISLAND.
IT IS ALL BEING DONE IN AUSTRALIA'S NATIONAL INTEREST.